Citizen Wausau

Carol Mularkey, You Made an Impact

by Dino Corvino on October 21st, 2009

Recently, Carol Mularkey passed away. It appears she was best known as an art teacher in the community, but I knew her as something different — a swimmer, and a constant presence in my 20s. To be frank, she was a nag, a nitpicker, and she was tough, and I had no idea why.

I met Carol when I was about 17. In my teens and 20s I thought my career was going to be in the water. I was a lifeguard, swim teacher, and lifeguard instructor all over the state and the nation. In my teens, I worked for DC Everest Community Education as the morning lifeguard for AM Lap Swim, and that is where I met Carol, and God I hated her.

AM Lap swim is the coolest thing ever. Swimmers, when they are growing up, need pool time. And a traditional time, for some reason, is to do that is in the morning. As swimmers age out of competitive swimming, it is not uncommon for those sleep patterns to keep going, and AM Lap Swims exist all over the country.

I was a lifeguard, a teen, and a child of punk rock. I wanted NOTHING to do with AM Lap swim, or “AM” anything for that matter. But, I needed money, so there I was at five A.M. at my high school, driving my green Pinto. The first person I met was Carol. She was there before me, and standing there looking at me very disapprovingly. I opened the door without saying a word, and away we went.

Carol was a fish in those days. She swam a lot, and fast. The unique thing was she wore a thermometer on her suit. It was one of those REI key chains, and she had it right there. When she got done swimming she checked that, and told me the temperature of the pool. I had no idea why, and frankly I thought she was some kooky old woman who thought I could somehow make the pool warmer or colder. I was young, so what did I know?

One day, I overslept, and was late. I was concerned as I pulled up, and there she stood. Boy, did I get an earful. She let me know that I was disappointing her, and that people were counting on me, and I needed to take this seriously. To be fair, I was sound asleep as she let me have it, so I couldn’t have cared less.

I did that for a few months. Then summer came, and I went to the RS Pool. The following year I taught swim lessons with Peter Rotter and Ted Tautges at the Woodson Y. I’m sure they don’t remember, but I remembered them. One day, Carol and Sue Lewitzke teamed up and wanted to talk to me. They asked me to lifeguard for the Wausau Triathlon. I was thrilled. I was scared to be involved, but Carol made a point of pressing me into service with: “You better do a good job, people are counting on you.”

Years later, I was in college, and I came home for a bit. I asked if I could get some AM shifts to get some money over Christmas. And sure enough, Carol was still there. Now I was even more arrogant, and cavalier. One day, I over slept and did not even go open the pool. Somehow Carol managed to track down my home phone number, and called to scold me. But, it was not a scolding, it was more about not living up to my potential, and how I had opportunities and I needed to take them seriously.

Her having my phone number led to wake up calls over the winter months, since she was planning on being there. I had the keys, so she needed me there. But, it was never just nagging. It was always about potential and opportunities.

Years later, as my aquatic career was coming to an end, and I had a bit of success as a writer, I got a call in Milwaukee from Carol. She said she had seen my name in the paper, and got a hold of the play or story mentioned. She said she was proud of me for living up to my potential and asked if I was still teaching swim lessons (which I still was). Then she wanted to talk to my girl Jackie. She and Jackie talked for a while, and Jackie laughed and laughed. When it was over, Jackie hung up and did not tell me what was said.

A few weeks later though something magic happened. Jackie and I were in a rough patch in our relationship. I was teaching some parent-child swim classes at Nicolet High School, and some lessons for younger kids, and Jackie came. She sat with the parents, and watched me sing songs, and blow bubbles, and teach kids to use the kick boards. The thing is Jackie never came to watch me teach.

After lessons Jackie came over and hugged me and smiled, and gave me a big smooch. She said she was sorry for the hard times, and we both laughed. I was wearing a Speedo, and shivering, so I was a funny sight. I asked why she came, and she said Carol suggested it. Carol told her that I was full of crap, but when I was teaching swimming I was not, that the kids would not let me, and I was a great teacher.

We learn life lessons in strange ways. This woman was a nag and a pain, but might have saved our relationship that time. While it did not work with Jackie, I was always proud that she came to see me teach little kids how to swim. It always made me proud. I think Carol knew it made me proud to be a swim teacher, and I think she wanted to know I took it seriously.

Thanks Carol. Thanks for teaching me that the things we are passionate about are important, and should be pursued with seriousness and intensity. Thanks for all of it.