Carla S. Morat, age 50 of New Era, Michigan passed away on December 8, 2018. Carla was
born May 2, 1968, to Dan and Mary Jane (Fuller) Morat. She is survived by her parents, her
three children, Walter F. Hill, Giovanna K. Hill and Margherita R. Hill as well as her siblings,
Carolee (Dan) Castle, Derick Morat, and Cynthia Larsen and many nieces and nephews.
Carla graduated from Whitehall High School in the class of 1986, attended Wheelock College in
Massachusetts and Ferris State University studying early childhood development. Carla funded
her college education by successfully participating in scholarship pageants such as Miss
Michigan and Miss Massachusetts, and was named Miss White Lake and Miss North Shore in
Massachusetts. Upon returning to Michigan, she operated Wee Care Child Development
Center in Muskegon where she intensely loved every child she met. She later worked for
Shelby Public Schools in the Superintendent's Office, and most recently worked for the
Disability Network. Carla developed and organized the Pink & Green Bowl which has
successfully raised $100,000 for scholarships and the Crystal Valley Care Fund, which will be
her legacy to Oceana County.
Carla had a beautiful singing voice and a love of music and musicals. Carla loved all kids and
was a mentor to many over the years. Carla remained true to her beauty pageant roots, and
loved tiaras, Barbie and all things glamorous. Despite her physical difficulties over the years,
Carla remained positive, outgoing and fun-loving and she loved to get out and meet people.
Everyone who met Carla loved her and she had an amazing network of neighbors, devoted
friends and family who helped her out and helped her stay active, which she greatly
appreciated. Eli The Wonder Dog and Tut the cat kept her company and brought her much joy.
She felt very strongly about making a difference and helping in her community. Her true pride
and joy were her three kids, Frankie, Gia and Maggie and their love, and her unwavering love
for them, no doubt helped her battle for as long as she did.
Carla fought Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She was
cured of the lymphoma and had a stem cell transplant 7 years ago which cured the ALL
Unfortunately, Carla was later afflicted with Graft Versus Host Disease as a result of the bone
marrow transplant and that greatly affected her quality of life.
Pursuant to Carla's wishes, a memorial service is being planned for May 2019 at the Howmet
Playhouse when the reconstruction is complete.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pink & Green Bowl Fund at the Community Foundation
for Oceana County, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Go Fund Me account that has
been designated for her children.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
www.beaconfh.com
