Carol K. Wilkinson

1933 - 2022

Carol K. Wilkinson, 88, died in Alexandria, Va. on Saturday, August 20, 2022, after a long illness. The sixth of seven children of Paul and Mary Kane, she was born on December 27, 1933 in Pittston, Pa and grew up in West Pittston, Pa. After graduating from St. John's High School, she attended Marywood College, now Marywood University, graduating in 1955 with a degree in education. She began her teaching career at Chevy Chase Elementary School in Chevy Chase, Md., the same year. She married Edward "Ned" Wilkinson on February 12, 1957 in Washington, D.C. In 1960, Carol moved with her husband and young children to Amsterdam, N.Y., where together they raised five children until his death in December 1986. She began her career in the Amsterdam School District as a social worker, enrolling children in the Head Start program, believing strongly in the benefits of early education for under-privileged children. She subsequently taught elementary school at the William B. Techler Elementary School. After retiring from the district, she taught at St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam, N.Y. She was active in many civic and charitable organizations, including the Friends of the Amsterdam City Library, the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, and the Amsterdam Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She spent the last sixteen years enjoying her retirement with her children and grandchildren in Alexandria, Virginia.

She is survived by her sister, Ellen Pahl; five children, Edward Wilkinson, Jr, Sarah Reynolds, Carol Mitchell, Chris Wilkinson, and Molly Wilkinson; and 10 grandchildren, Edward ("Ned"), Elizabeth, and Emily Wilkinson; Jack, Hugh, Ruth, and Jane Reynolds; Isabelle ("DeDe") and Matthew ("Matt") Wilkinson; and Samuel ("Sam") Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews. A loving wife and mother, her often wise and always clever "momisms" will be treasured by her family; beautiful and graceful, her kindness, intelligence, quick wit and ready laugh will be missed by her family and many friends; and her students will recall her love for them and for teaching. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Capital Caring Health at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington, D.C. or the Wilkinson Residential Health Facility in Amsterdam, N.Y.