Carol Newona Berlin

1956 - 2025

Carol Newona Berlin, a truly unique soul whose life was defined by loyalty, devotion, and an unshakable spirit, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. She was 69.
Born Carol Newona Kilsavage on July 7, 1956, in Columbus, Georgia, to Norman and Shirley Kilsavage, Carol was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend to many. She will be remembered for her sharp wit and direct nature; she was known to be both loud and opinionated but was just as often a quiet listener, offering thoughtful and honest advice. She was a loyal friend and always spoke her mind - even, as she would admit, when it got her in trouble. Whenever a situation turned sour, Carol had a memorable way of putting it into perspective, often with a laugh, saying, "Oh well, it could be worse, I could be pregnant," or simply "Just lucky I guess."
Carol's generosity was legendary among those who knew her. She would never let you leave empty-handed after a visit, always sending you home with food or a small gift as a token of her appreciation and love.
After graduating from Manhattan (Kansas) High School in 1974 she joined the Army. Carol was immensely proud of her service from 1975-1978. She once said, "My life didn't start until I joined the Army." Her commitment to her fellow service members never wavered; she was a staunch supporter of veterans and active-duty personnel. It was common for Carol to go out of her way to personally thank and hand out tokens of appreciation to any service member she encountered.
Following her military service, Carol worked as a corrections officer at the Fairbanks Correctional Center. Driven to help others, she earned a Bachelor of Art's in 1992 from UAF and soon thereafter becoming a licensed social worker in the state of Oregon, where she resided for many years. Despite establishing a life there, she eventually felt the call to move back to her beloved hometown of Fairbanks.
Carol had a love and a knack for beadwork, creating many beautiful and intricate works of art. Above all else, her dogs were her life, and she was completely devoted to them, finding unconditional love and companionship in her four-legged family.
Carol is survived by her siblings, sister, Susan Coltellaro, of Fairbanks; brothers, Scott Coltellaro and Kenneth Vanderwyst, both of Fairbanks; sister, Kimberly Jo Duncan of Greenville, Alabama; and sister, Tamara Ann Walters of Heflin, Alabama.
She is also survived by cousins, Karen Burton of Martinez, Georgia, David Gratton of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Joy Hill of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Carol had numerous nieces and nephews, including Delanie and Jason Mitchell, Heather and Howard Earles (and daughter Savannah), Paul (Tank) Foucheaux; great-nephews, Dakota and Kes Taggard, James and Angela Coltellaro, Brandy and Todd Capistrant, Sherry and Raymond Jacobs and Bethany and Benjamin Burton, all of Fairbanks, and Shawn and Kim Grey of Houston, Texas, Kyle Vanderwyst New Hampshire and Melissia Vanderwyst of Los Angeles.
A Celebration of Life will be held on what would have been her 70th birthday, July 7, 2026, at the home of her lifelong friend, Billie Cook, in Fairbanks.