Carey Lynn Carpenter-Moynihan, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born August 28, 1956, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Carey was the daughter of Peter and Ann Hataluk. Carey and her family moved to Huntington Beach, California when she was in high school, later making their home in Garland, Texas, where she eventually met her husband, Garrett Moynihan, whom she married in 2019 and had known for over 30 years. Carey was living her dream at her lake house with her best friend.

Carey was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and mentor. She enjoyed her Christian faith, reading, writing, baking, entertaining, quilting, gardening, and traveling. She loved coffee on the porch, sunsets on the dock at her lake house, spending time with her friends and family, animals, and helping others, dedicating many years of work with Habitat for Humanity, Taft College TIL, American Heart Association, and various local agencies, non-profits, and veteran’s service organizations.

She dedicated more than 40 years of her life to teaching, leadership and charitable involvement, inspiring thousands of people across California and Texas with her passion, patience, and love of teaching and learning. She developed writing workshops, established a public library, created “Carey’s Candy”, and wrote several children’s books, which she always wanted to publish.

Carey believed in the value of hard work, and nothing was too tough for her to take on. That determination showed in everything she did, especially the way she faced the inevitable challenges of life. But for all this toughness, it was her heart that truly defined her. Her work was never just a task; it was a lifestyle. Her intentions were always pure, and she saw the good in everyone. She will be remembered for her generous spirit, kindness, warm smile, positive attitude, and desire to help those in need.

Her greatest joy and source of pride was being a mother and grandmother. She would fly or travel anywhere just to see her children and grandchildren – going so far as to show up, sometimes as a surprise, because she knew the importance of being there for them, no matter how big or small.

She is survived by her husband Garrett of Frankston; her mother Ann of Garland; her children, Ryan Carpenter (wife Laura Dinorah and daughter Chiara) of Dallas, Shannon Miller (husband Jordan and children Lily Jones, Hadley Jones, Melody, and Maddox), and Michelle Wise of Taft, California; her sister Debbie Thompson of Mena, Arkansas and brother Paul Hataluk of Garland; stepsons Garrett Moynihan, III of Garland, and Paul Moynihan (wife Laura and children Camilla, Luna, and Paul) of Aubrey; and many family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father Pete and brother Donnie.

A Celebration of Life, one fit for Queen Carey, will be held August 28 at her home in Frankston, TX.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are sent to the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Foundation.

Carey leaves a hole that can never be filled, a void that her family and friends will carry with them.  Her legacy of compassion, integrity, love, and helpfulness to others will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.