Carolyn S. Arvidson

1930 - 2017

Carolyn Arvidson (née Short) died peacefully on January 12, 2017 after a short illness. She is survived by three daughters, Amy Arvidson of Seattle, Rebecca Kelly of Philadelphia, and Cadie Pruss of Kamiah, ID; their husbands Matt Geyman, Chris Kelly and Mike Pruss; and five grandchildren: Lauren, Grant and Cadence Kelly and Ben and Emily Geyman. She is also survived by two sisters, Marjorie Comstock of Poland, OH and Louise Knowlton of Kailua, HI. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 51 years, R. Regner Arvidson. Carolyn was born to Edna G. Short and William F. Short on December 17, 1930 in Hartford, CT. She graduated from Oxford School in West Hartford, CT in 1948 and from Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH in 1952. She later obtained a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph's College in West Hartford. She taught elementary school, in Rochester, NY following graduation, and then traveled in Europe during a year teaching in Hamburg, Germany, before returning to West Hartford, where she married Regner Arvidson after a long courtship. She taught elementary school at King Phillip Elementary School and later taught preschool at the Jewish Community Center. She was active in First Church in West Hartford and many civic organizations and clubs. She supported Hartford's arts and culture scene, and she loved to play bridge. In retirement, she volunteered at Hands on Hartford and at Center Church in Hartford. A memorial service will be held on February 19, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, Hartford (Center Church), 60 Gold Street, Hartford, CT. Carolyn would wish her memory to be honored with contributions to Manna Assistance & Advocacy (memo line: Food Pantry), 1 Buckingham Street, Hartford, CT 06106 or The First Church of Christ, Hartford (memo line: Memorial Fund), 60 Gold Street, Hartford, CT 06103. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com