CAROL FRENCH DOUGHTY

CAROL FRENCH DOUGHTY

(1963-2009)

Carol Doughty, 45, died in Helsingborg Sweden, May 14, when her struggle with cancer ceased. The daughter of Polly and Paul Doughty and sister of Tom, Carol was born in Lima, Peru in 1963. She came to Gainesville in 1971 from Bloomington Indiana. She attended JJ Finley School and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1981. She was active in Keyettes, Model United Nations, Spanish Club and winning letters with the swimming and soccer teams.

At GHS and university she participated in student exchange programs in Peru. She graduated from Indiana University in 1985, majoring in Latin American Studies/ Spanish and Anthropology. She then worked in Los Angeles as a primary school teacher, a job that she loved. Carol earned a Masters degree in education at Long Beach State and was a mentor teacher in bi-lingual education specializing in teaching kindergarten and first grade pupils. She was elected by her peers to represent them in the United Teachers of LA County union. She was married in Sweden to Bo Nilsson, residing in the town of Perstorp where Nilsson is employed as an industrial chemist. Carol resumed teaching primary grades in the: city of Helsingborg where she taught English, Spanish and art. Her daughter Maya was born in 2002. She participated in the American Women's club, book club and enjoyed gardening, reading, travel, handicrafts and photography. She always sent in her absentee ballot for elections.

Carol enjoyed a large network of friends, starting a blog communicating with school friends in Lima and Gainesville, colleagues and others around the, Americas and the world. All knew her as a caring, creative and enthusiastic person. Her parents Polly and Paul Doughty, brother Tom Doughty of Gainesville, her husband Bo Nilsson and daughter of 7 years, Maya Doughty Nilsson in Perstorp, Sweden, love and miss her greatly. The family started two Memorials recognizing her interests to commemorate her dedication to education and to sustain her strong belief that teaching was an indispensable calling in support of society and nation.

Contributions in her honor are invited for: The Carol French Doughty Memorial Scholarship at the Alachua County Public Schools Foundation, Inc at 1725 1st Avenue, Gainesville 32641, to support needy students at Gainesville High School in pursuing careers in teaching and enrolling at Santa Fe College; The Carol French Doughty Memorial Fund at the Center for Latin American Studies, 319 Grinter Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611; to support graduate students working on Latin American and Latino issues pursuing careers in education.

A memorial service was held in Perstorp where she is at rest in the community cemetery. Her memorial service in Gainesville will be held at the Society of Friends (Quaker) Meeting House at 702 NW 38th Street, on Saturday August 1 at 3pm.