CAROLYN EDWARDS

CAROLYN EDWARDS - SOUTH BURLINGTON - Anyone who knew Carolyn would tell you about her laugh and smile. Her laugh, infectious and genuine. Her smile, igniting in her eyes, then quickly spreading across her face. Though uniquely her own, they were undoubtedly influenced by her parents, Harlan and Elenor Storrs, both no longer with us. She grew up in Williamstown, spending many summers on Harvey's Lake with brothers, Mike and Gary, and her younger sister, Sandy. This upbringing grew within her an unwavering passion for water and sailing and a love of the outdoors that she would carry with her for her entire life. She graduated Williamstown High School in 1968, and then from UVM in 1972. For a short time, she lived in Boston, ultimately returning to Vermont to dedicate her life to her work and children. She is survived by her children, Zachary and Trenton Edwards, having raised them both - much the same way she had been raised - on the beautiful waters of Lake Champlain. Her career in the Vermont business community started to flourish at Digital Equipment Corporation, which led to her becoming CEO and founding partner in Competitive Computing (C2) 21 years ago. Over the years, she's held great integrity and taken great pride as she spearheaded the growth of this local technology company from its humble beginning of just four partners to a business with global reach. She possessed a passion and caring for each of her employees and C2's many clients over the years. Carolyn played a significant role in the business community and set a great example for other female leaders in the technology industry. Among her many business affiliations, including GBIC and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, Carolyn was particularly fond of the Vermont Business Roundtable, ultimately serving on its board of directors. Though her family has spread and grown, Carolyn kept them all rooted. Zach is now in Charlotte, N.C., and Trent is in Minneapolis, Minn. Carolyn added a close friend in Alison Crawford, whom she loved like a daughter, to her nearest and dearest; and enjoyed the most recent light of her life in the form of her grandson, Harlan. She kept the house her family grew up in, and despite her battle with ovarian cancer in recent years, her laugh and smile were always there for family to come home to. Carolyn was 64 when she passed away at her home early Sunday morning, Oct. 19, 2014, surrounded by family; brothers, Mike Storrs and wife, Tess, Gary Storrs and wife, Susan, sister, Sandy Begin and husband, John, and her beloved children, Zachary, Trenton and Alison. It's indescribable how much she will be missed by so many. There will be visiting hours Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ready Funeral and Cremation Service, 261 Shelburne Road, in Burlington, and a remembrance service and gathering will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, at 11 a.m. in All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, in Shelburne. Both are open to the public. Online condolences may be sent to www.readyfuneral.com.