- Carolyn departed this life on her own terms. She passed with her family around her in the QE2 and has finally left behind her recent years of constant pain. Over the course of her 81 years she was loved by many and touched all those around her.
She was a constant source of strength, kindness and help to many and will be greatly missed.
Born in South Berwick on Halloween, she was raised in South Berwick and Weston in the Annapolis Valley. She started her education in a two room school house at Dempsey Corner. followed by Western Kings High School. During her early years she was involved in the then new world of computers and mastered several programming languages as she achieved her B.A. degree at Dalhousie, after time spent studying at the University of Toronto and Acadia. She sacrificed a career, to be a home maker and support her husband David in his endeavours.
As time progressed, computers made way for horses and she became a devoted equestrian. Working tirelessly over the years as she pursued her riding career. She was seldom happier than when she was with her friends at the barn working with horses. For decades Windgate Farms became her home away from home. Carolyn was also an amazing cook, and her talent often was given a chance to shine at family gatherings, and the horse shows she catered. Her lasagna and sherry trifle are still a legend to this day. There was never a cooking show on TV that she didn't watch.
Another passion was reading. She was an avid reader for her entire life, starting first with Harlequin novels, then progressing to murder mystery and detective stories. So much so, that she exhausted the circulation desks at all of the local libraries Which required them to order books in for her. As she got older, she switched to audio books, but her love for the stories themselves continued unabated. Her dry wit was formed by years of British comedies, with Monty Python and Black Adder being a few favourites.
She was an accomplished traveller and toured the Pacific Rim in 1979. As far as we know, her sneakers are still hanging somewhere in a mango tree in Australia after her husband David used them to try and get some mangoes. She spent many winters on the island of Montserrat and enjoyed swimming in the ocean. Carolyn was an enthusiastic gardener; her gardens and houseplants were a wonder to all and a sight to behold in the summer.
Her artistic side was often expressed through writing, drawing, art and especially quilting, with many amazing life/story quilts being gifted to family members and friends over the years. In 2000 her quilt "Loons in Flight" won an award and hung in the Lieutenant Governor residence on display for a year.
While she was only 4'8" her departure has left a giant void in the hearts of those who knew her.
The family would like to express special thanks to Vanessa Croft for her care and help over the last 7 years, we know Carolyn thought the world of you.
A celebration of her life will be held in the spring in her beloved Annapolis Valley.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cruikshank's funeral home in Halifax. Suggested donations are appreciated to Soul's Harbour Rescue Mission (soulsharbour.ca), Feed Nova Scotia (feednovascotia.ca) and the Lung Foundation (www.lungnspei.ca)
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1944 - 2026 (81 years)
