Carie Weston has been adding color, charm, and unmistakable style to the Greendale community since the 1970s. Known affectionately as “The Hat Lady,” Carie is a local icon whose perfectly coordinated outfits—always topped with one of her many hats—have become a beloved part of Village life. She and her late husband Paul built their home in Greendale in the 1970s, where they raised two daughters, Sally and Jennifer. Before dedicating herself to full-time volunteer work, Carie had a career as a medical records supervisor within the Milwaukee County Hospital system. Over the years, she’s poured her energy into countless organizations, with a special passion for church service, Village events, and fashion shows. We’re proud to feature Carie and honor the flair, generosity, and joy she brings to Greendale every day. Thank you, Carie!
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Q: Please tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and later moved with my family to Wauwatosa. I graduated from Divine Savior High School in Milwaukee, followed by Viterbo University. In 1974, my husband Paul and I built our home in the second phase of Greendale’s G-section, and I’ve called it home ever since.
Paul and I were married in 1970, and we shared 47 wonderful years together before he passed away in 2017. We have two daughters, Sally and Jennifer. Jennifer earned her master’s in health administration, works for Signify Health, part of CVS Health and lives in Phoenix with her spouse. Sally has a bachelor’s degree in communications and is employed by Grainger as an Account Manager / Manufacturing. She has two children—Tavin and Sophie—who were born in Germany and England, respectively. Tavin, after boarding in England his junior and senior years of high school, earned an Aerospace Engineering degree from Saint Louis University and now works for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center. Sophie is a senior at Marquette University and is currently studying abroad in London.
After Paul’s passing, I started the “Platinum Gals” – seven other ladies with diversified backgrounds, each of whom offered and shared a unique outlook on life while giving me support and filling the void.
Q: Please tell us about your career. What do you love most about what you do?
After graduation, I worked in Medical Records—first as Assistant Supervisor at Milwaukee County General Hospital, then later as Supervisor at the Mental Health Center North Division. It was very interesting work. I handled everything from working with interns, funeral directors, insurance companies, attorneys, nurses, and doctors, to testifying in court cases. I loved interacting with so many different professionals.
I retired in 1971 when we started our family. Paul and I actually met at the Milwaukee County General Hospital, and he retired in 1990 after 30 years with the County, having served as Director of Hospital Information Systems at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Center. We were lucky to spend 27 years of his retirement together. My only job after retirement was doing “tea-room” modeling at various local restaurants representing ladies’ boutiques.
Q: Please tell us about any volunteering that you have done or currently do.
I consider myself to be a professional volunteer! I’ve been involved in volunteer work since moving to Greendale in 1974 – it’s a lot of fun, but sometimes it’s like a full-time job! I’ve often said, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night shall keep a volunteer from the swift completion of her role!”
I recently received a plaque for 25 years of service to the Public Celebrations Committee from the Village of Greendale. Through this committee, I have assisted with the children’s Halloween parade, the children’s portion of the 4th of July parade, and more. I volunteer a lot for Greendale – over the years I’ve been a Welcome Wagon hostess, the Greendale Woman’s Club President, a contributing member of the Greendale Historical Society, and a member of an emergency evacuation startup committee. Paul and I also manned the popcorn machine at the Reiman Visitors Center for the Greendale Village Days, Oktoberfest, the tree lighting ceremony, and A Dickens of a Village.
I’ve also volunteered for various fashion shows. I was a founding member of the Northridge/Southridge Fashion Guild, which held shows for back-to-school, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and special events. It started mainly with young kids; then it was decided to have representatives from all ages, and I was chosen to be one of the models. I’ve worked with Meri Misko, the Greendale Senior Social Club coordinator, choreographing and writing the script for the fashion show that was part of the annual senior festival. And I’ve helped with the Greendale Pet Palooza pet fashion show!
When my daughters were young, I was a volunteer for both of their little leagues and assisted with the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) program at Ambruster and Canterbury Elementary Schools, where I was also the Campbell Soup Lady. I was a reading buddy at College Park Elementary for two years and served as the Gift Acquirement Chairman for Pius XI High School’s annual dinner auction fundraiser for three years. I am a Hospitality Minister at St. Mary Catholic Faith Community in Hales Corners, and I volunteer each year for their annual festival.
I was also the “Princess of Vice” for the Raspberry Berets of Root River chapter of the Red Hat Society before becoming the “Queen Bee.” We disbanded after ten years of fun and frolics.
Q: Please tell us about any interesting activities or unique hobbies that you have?
I’m currently the president of two senior bowling leagues. One of my league mates is still bowling at 101 years old, and I always say that’s what I want to be when I grow up!
I enjoy hands-on, detail-oriented crafts like the Art of Quilling and plastic canvas projects. These hobbies have influenced me in making and repurposing jewelry to mix and match with my outfits.
Q: What is one of your favorite restaurants in Greendale?
The Steakout – it has a great atmosphere and great food. Their entertainer is Al White, whom I’ve known for many, many years. He would always perform “Lady in Red” for Paul and me – even now, he will still play it for me.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Greendale?
Everyone is interesting! Each person has their own personality and something to contribute to make this a great community.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
It’s hard to choose just one. I’ve been to so many interesting places, both abroad and right here in the US. I’ve been fortunate to travel quite a bit —across Europe, including Germany and England, the Mediterranean, the Netherlands where I have relatives, and two years ago I spent 15 days in France. Paul loved to drive so we’d been to every state (except Hawaii), but we also did three cruises. Right now I’m heading to Nashville with the Vagabond Ski & Social Club. In February, I’m off to Punta Cana. But some of the most beautiful places are right here in Wisconsin – Holy Hill, the Great River Road along the Mississippi River, Door County, and recently I had a road trip to The Greenhouse in Kohler. Have suitcase, will travel!
Q: What are some of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Gone With the Wind, Mrs. Doubtfire, Trading Places, PBS shows. I don’t have a real favorite – I like anything from comedies and drama to sci-fi and mysteries.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Greendale?
Drews Variety Store – you could go in there and find anything and everything last minute. Now, of course, we have the Dollar Tree (which I’ve renamed “The 5th Quarter”).
Q: If you could choose anyone – alive or not – who is not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I’d love to meet Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Earle Stanley Gardner so I could pick their brains and figure out how they evolved their mystery stories. We’d meet at the Schuster Mansion Bed & Breakfast for high tea.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Greendale?
No matter where you are in Greendale, people give you a smile and greet you.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Fall is my favorite season (September being my birth month), and I especially love Thanksgiving and Christmas—decorating for both is a highlight every year. The best single day on the calendar is my birthday ‘cause it means I’m still here!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
An off-set lilac-color woven hat which Sally hand-carried from England and coordinates with an eggplant color suit which I just happened to have from my Red Hat days. That is a 10 out of 10! Right now, I have 68 spring and summer hats, and I haven’t even counted the fall and winter ones. I still have my first-ever hat! I decorate and change the trim to coordinate with my outfits. Of course, I have a lot of red hats which still get worn.
I started wearing hats when I joined the Greendale Woman’s Club, sometime around 1983—I figured that’s just what ladies did. In my mother’s era, women wore hats, gloves, and matching shoes to church, the store, and even to other people’s homes.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee, even though I’m not a coffee drinker. I also like the scent of vanilla.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family memories, safety, and LOVE.
