APPLETON - Carol J. Hooper, 71, died peacefully April 16, 2014, surrounded by her family, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born in Idaho Sept. 9, 1942, she was the daughter of Lorin and Lila Hope Higley. She was a graduate of Granger High School in Granger, Utah.

Following high school Carol married John M. Hewlett in Utah in 1960. Together they had four children. Widowed as a young woman when Mr. Hewlett passed away at just 34 years old in 1973; Carol devoted her life to her children.

Carol met and married Ron Madsen in 1977. Carol and Ron moved to Denver, Colo., and later divorced. After her children were grown, Carol married Leon Hooper in 1997. Coming to Maine when Mr. Hooper's father died, Carol and Leon made their permanent home here.

Together they enjoyed traveling, especially camping in Moosehead. Carol also loved going “yardsaling.” Her children said she went nearly every weekend and could find the best bargains. She loved watching NASCAR, especially her favorite drivers, Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards.

She will be remembered as a fiercely devoted mother who loved spending time with her children. As her family continued to grow, Carol's love grew with the addition of each grandchild; even raising and adopting two as her own children. She will be greatly missed by her entire family.

Predeceased by her husbands; and a sister, LaWana Hunt; Carol is survived by four children, Mark, Marty, Rickie and Denna; two brothers, Johnny Higley and David Higley and his fiancée, Cheryl Dugan; two sisters, Diane Hummel and her husband, Ken, and Teala Giles and her husband, Delbert; 14 grandchildren, two of whom she adopted; and several great-grandchildren.

Carol's family will be celebrating her life in Utah, where she will be laid to rest beside her first husband and near her parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland.