Caroline Sarver Stevens, nurse and entrepreneur

Caroline Sarver Stevens of Lafayette Hill, a registered nurse and entrepreneur, died April 28 of complications after a lengthy illness. No age was given, at the deceased's request.

"She was beautiful, warm, compassionate, loving, driven and very success-oriented," said her eldest daughter, Sandy Izzo.

Born in Liverpool, Pa., and raised on a 100-acre farm, Stevens went to Liverpool High School, where she was valedictorian, Germantown Hospital School of Nursing, and Temple University. Starting in the late 1950s, she worked as a registered nurse for five years at Germantown Hospital.

Mrs. Stevens served on the Women's Board of Germantown Hospital and was a member of Whitemarsh Valley Country Club. She was an avid golfer and bridge player.

In 1976, she and her husband, Leonard Stevens Sr., started Budget Print Center in Lafayette Hill. Izzo says her mother was motivated by the value of life and doing the best with what she had in order to enjoy it.

"One of her biggest things was always to be good to yourself and others. Everyone that met her fell in love with her," said Izzo.

The mother-and-daughter duo then opened Sweet Dreams boutique in Lafayette Hill, an experience Izzo describes as "a dream come true." It was then that Izzo learned more from her mother. "I learned never to give up, to always be good to people and to be motivated," she said. "Keep trying in this world, no matter what happens."

Throughout her illness, Izzo said, her mother never gave up. "If you met her, you'd walk away with a feeling that you were loved and respected even in an instant," said Izzo. "She was a real earth angel."

In addition to her daughter, she is also survived by a son, Leonard Stevens Jr., one granddaughter, a sister, Lillian Roush, and her brothers Richard and Wayne Sarver.

A family service will be held on May 6 at Kirk & Nice Funeral Home of Plymouth Meeting at 11 a.m. Interment will be private at George Washington Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Council, 111 Presidential Blvd. No. 141, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004.

sballin@phillynews.com