Carolyn A. Bondy

1945 - 2016

Carolyn A. Bondy obituary, 1945-2016, Pittsfield, MA

Carolyn Bondy Obituary

Carolyn Ann Bondy, world-renowned clinical investigator at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, recently died following a long battle with a brain tumor. She was 71.

Carolyn was born in New York on May 12, 1945. She graduated from the Windsor Mountain School in Lenox, Massachusetts, attended Smith College, earned a B.A. in History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, then returned to teach history at Windsor Mountain School, where she and Heinz Bondy were married.

In 1977 Carolyn earned a Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Subsequently, she enrolled in the Boston University School of Medicine where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 1980. In 1981 she graduated at the top of her class, earning an M.D. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Boston University Hospital. A research fellowship in endocrinology led her to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD in 1984. In 1990 Carolyn was promoted to tenured senior investigator. As chief of the Developmental Endocrinology Branch, she mentored and inspired countless young scientists, many of whom are now scientific leaders. Carolyn was also active in the advancement of women scientists at the NIH.

Carolyn retired from NIH in 2012 and was promptly appointed as a scientist emerita. In her nearly 30 years at the NIH, Carolyn published more than 150 highly cited peer-reviewed papers. Her earlier work concerned insulin-like growth factors in brain development and reproduction. After achieving critical successes in this line of research in the 1980s and 1990s, Carolyn investigated how sex chromosome genes contribute to normal human development and sex-based differences in susceptibility to congenital heart, autoimmune, and coronary diseases. This led to her pioneering work in Turner syndrome.

Carolyn's research on Turner syndrome revealed that upwards of half of women with this condition have congenital cardiovascular defects. Her research led to revelations of the roles that sex chromosomes play in numerous chronic diseases. Carolyn's work also led her to become an advocate for women with Turner syndrome, which affects approximately 1 out of every 2,500 female live births worldwide. This included strategies for care as well as social support.

Carolyn was recognized for her work through numerous awards, including the Public Health Service Special Recognition Award presented by the US Department of Health and Human Services, and a lifetime recognition award for her "contributions to improve the lives of patients with Turner Syndrome," presented by the NHLBI GenTac Investigators.

Carolyn was a caring and engaged wife and mother who always opened her heart and home to her family. She enjoyed planning adventures for her children and grandchildren that have provided her family with many fond memories. Carolyn was an avid gardener who regularly tended her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens; their bounty was enjoyed in many a healthy and delicious meal. She cared deeply for animals and provided a loving home for many throughout her life.

Carolyn is survived by two sons, Peter R. Bondy and partner Jeanne James of Olney, MD and C. Eric Bondy and wife Mariana Past of Lancaster, PA, and four grandchildren, Jessica Bondy, Amanda Bondy, Ray Bondy, and Ana Bondy. She was preceded in death by her husband Heinz, with whom she celebrated 41 years of marriage at the time of his death in February 2014; and her parents, Forrest and Ann Louks.

SERVICES: Carolyn will be inurned with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery in early December.

Memorials may be sent to the Turner Syndrome Society (http://www.turnersyndrome.org) or Maryland SPCA at http://www.mdspca.org

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Dec. 1, 2016.
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2 Entries

My name is Susan Wilson.I was one of the first 11 women in her study on TS. She was an amazing and brilliant woman. But above all all she was compassionate. I benefit from participation in that study still today.

Susan Wilson

December 15, 2018

I was about to write to Carolyn about my continuing work on the suppression of breast cancer incidence in women taking oestrogen replacement in the menopause together with testosterone. We published on this together and I wanted to propose that we publish again on testosterone in premenstrual syndrome , assuming the excess oestrogen in this dysfunctional state. Sadly it seems I left this too late. I am very saddened by our loss of this wonderful woman. Dr Rosie Jones Adelaide South Australia

March 18, 2018

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