Carolyn E. Foley's Obituary
Carolyn E. Foley, age 91, died Saturday, May 24, 2025 of complications of Parkinson’s Disease. The wife of long-time Houston Rockets Radio Broadcaster, Jim Foley, Carolyn was born in West Allis, Wisconsin on January 18, 1934 to Cecelia Schmidt and Walter Dahl. In Milwaukee, she attended Holy Assumption Grade School and Pius X High School and graduated from Mount Mary University in 1956.
Her working career was spent in the airline industry in sales offices in Milwaukee and Houston for Scandinavian Airlines and Swiss Air. The Foleys came to Houston in 1972 when Jim joined the Rockets.
Carolyn was active with the Rockets wives in support of the Sunshine Kids, Magnificat House, and the Stehlin Foundation. Carolyn and Jim were also members of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Memorial Park for over 50 years.
After marrying Jim and never missing a home game, she fell in love with basketball but hated missed free throws by her team and missed calls by the officials. She also loved the Great American Songbook, especially Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald. She enjoyed a good bridge hand and a glass of Dewars with club soda.
In addition to Jim, her husband of 56 years, she is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Mary and Gene Kosidowski in Milwaukee; and brother-in-law Jack Foley in Chicago; nine nieces and nephews; 19 great-nieces and nephews; and four great-grandnieces and nephews; with special mention for their assistance with their great-aunt, Kati and Stefani Rizzardi of Sugar Land, Texas.
The family also wishes to thank Brookdale Galleria Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living and Vantage Hospice for their care for Carolyn during her final three months.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 6622 Haskell Street in Houston, Texas. A reception will immediately follow the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, Carolyn has suggested contributions be made to St. Theresa Catholic Church, Houston, Texas 77007 or to Mount Mary Univeristy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53222-4597.
What’s your fondest memory of Carolyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Carolyn?
Share a story where Carolyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Carolyn you’ll never forget.
How did Carolyn make you smile?