Carolyn Hiller Brines

Carolyn Hiller Brines of Cadillac passed away February 2, 2025. She was 88. Carolyn was born to Howard and Marjorie Moreland on December 11, 1936 in Quincy, Illinois. As the 1000th baby born at St. Mary’s Hospital, she was gifted with a complete layette, thus beginning her career as a fashionista. Carolyn was an “army brat” and grew up in Kewanee, Illinois; Rolla, Missouri; Olympia, Washington; Oberstdorf, Germany; and Robinson, Illinois. After graduating from Robinson High School, she majored in music and business at Indiana State University. There, she met and married her husband of nearly 70 years, Milo D. Brines. Together they raised four children in Flint, and later, Cadillac, Michigan. During the 60’s and early 70’s, Carolyn was a stay-at-home mom. She accepted a job as a teacher’s aid with the Cadillac Public Schools in the mid-70’s. She switched careers in the 80’s and became a legal secretary at Samardich, Benson, McCurdy &Wotila, P.C. and worked there for 16 years. In her first year at the firm she was given the “Legal Secretary of the Year”award. As a talented musician, Carolyn studied piano in the States and Germany. In the 1950’s she received a 1st in the District Finals competition. She accompanied the Cadillac Community Chorus for many years and served as its president, played piano at local restaurants, and volunteered her musical talents at area retirement homes. A life-long Methodist, she taught Sunday School and started a Bible Story Hour at Atherton UMC in Flint, and taught Sunday School and directed both Junior Choir and Cherub Choir at Cadillac UMC. Carolyn served as treasurer of the Cadillac Area Artists Association and displayed many of her original paintings at the annual Cadillac Art Fair. She was also a member of Philharmonic Club and the Legal Association of Women, as well as a past secretary of the CASA sports organization. Carolyn is survived by her husband, Milo, and her children: Teresa Brines (Tom Crabb), David Brines (Tracy, dec.), Robert Brines (Joanne), and Michael Brines (Michelle), as well as her grandchildren, Margaret Crabb (Joe Kabourek),Alex Crabb, Jessica (Noah) Marshall-Rashid, Katherine Brines (Magnus Frisak), Michael Brines (Amber Parsons), David Brines, Jacquelyn Brines, Matthew Brines and Renee Brines. She also leaves behind six great-grandchildren: Milo, Nina, Willem, Harrison, Arlo and Maya. Carolyn was outgoing and funny, the life of the party. She loved fashion and shoes. She had great warmth and feeling for others and her life was filled with family and friends.Many have remarked on her talent, her kindness, and her dedication to her family. We will miss her. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the United Methodist Church in Cadillac with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hope Chest Charity. (https://www.hopechestcharity.org/donate) An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Carolyn Hiller Brines

December 11, 1936 - February 2, 2025