Carol A. Kenyon

Ledyard - Carol A. Kenyon, 68, of Gales Ferry, died Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

Carol Ann Kenyon was born Sept. 3, 1949 to Elizabeth Collins Kenyon and Morton Levi Kenyon. She grew up in New London, attended St. Mary's Star of the Sea elementary school, St. Bernard's High School, and the Joseph Lawrence School of Nursing, receiving her registered nursing degree in 1971. She was a nurse at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for over 46 years, 40 of those years were spent in the intensive care unit. She loved her profession and excelled in critical care. Many friends, relatives and doctors sought her advice due to her vast experience. She would advocate for her patients to ensure the very best care possible. Nursing was more than her career, it was her vocation. She was such a strong advocate for her profession that she was a key founder and former president of the nursing union. It was indeed fitting that Carol passed away surrounded by those she loved in the ICU unit at L+M Hospital.

But nursing was not her only passion. Carol was an avid gardener and crafter. A member of the Thames River Garden Club of New London County, she made beautiful flower arrangements for weddings and other special occasions for friends and family members and often for local fundraising efforts. Many people remarked that the flowers were the most beautiful they had ever seen. Her gardens and crafts also reflected her artistic skills and beautiful design sense. She always helped out those in need or in crisis by creating amazing baskets, wreaths and craft items for auctions raising countless money for charity events both at L+M and in the community.

Carol loved the beaches here in New London, on Fisher's Island, in Sandbridge, Va. and in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and worked on her tan whenever she could take vacation from L+M. She loved sharing these much loved spots with her friends and family.

Carol is survived by her eight siblings and their families; and her beloved dog, Miko; brother, Morton Kenyon and wife, Susan; brother, Wesley and wife, Linda; sister, Elizabeth Connolly; brother, Kevin and wife, Nancy; sister, Kathie Kenyon and husband, Bill Zaneski; brother, Richard and wife, Claudia; sister, Susan; and brother, Timothy. In addition, she leaves behind 17 nieces and nephews; and 18 great-nieces and nephews; niece, Jennifer O'Quinn and husband, James with children, William, Collin and wife, Emily, James, Morton, Thomas, Sara, and Jude; Stacey Kenyon and son, Quinn; niece, Florabeth Kenyon; nephew, Robert Kenyon and wife, Elke with children, Kai and Ella; nephew, Ryan Connolly and wife, Lauren with children, William and Grace; nephew, Neil Connolly; niece, Caitlin Lombardi and husband, Mark with children, Owen and Nora; nephews and nieces, Kevin, Erin, and Connor Kenyon, Leah LeCara and husband, Kenny with children, Lola and Layne, Clark Zaneski with daughter, Mia, Kara O'Connor and husband, Joseph with son, Christian; Nicholas Kenyon and wife, Lenna, Richard Kenyon; Oliver and Miles Jennings.

She was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Morton Kenyon; and nephew, Collin Kenyon.

She is also survived by aunts, Helen Collins and Jean Lena and her husband, Richard; by cousins, the Pero, Collins, Lena, Scanlon, Boyd, Donlon and Delaney families; lifetime friends, the Hammond, Lacey, Spinello, Gerity families; her good friends from Puerto Rico, the Martinez', Rochet's, Gerardi's; and most especially her entire L+M family, those remarkable angels who work in the ICU.

The family also wishes to extend a special prayer of thanks to her niece, Florabeth Kenyon, who cared for her aunt Carol to ensure that these last few months were the best quality of life possible.

Carol loved nature, animals, and the people in her second home of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Carol's memory to The Humane Society of CT, 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill, CT 03375 or Capella de Millagrossa Catholic Church, of Fajardo Puerto Rico to support the hurricane relief efforts, or to the charity of your choice.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church, 10 Huntington St., New London.