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Caroline McWilliams Obituary
02/11/2010
Caroline Margaret McWilliams, accomplished actress and director, passed away peacefully at her home in LA on February 11, 2010. Ms. McWilliams is survived by her loving son Sean Douglas of Los Angeles, sisters Patti McWilliams (Marge Mount) and Norma Liedtke of San Francisco and Kelly-Jo Dvareckas (Jack) of Nashua, NH, nephews John Liedtke and Casey Dvareckas and niece Jill Dvareckas. Her parents, Dr. Joseph G. and Patti McWilliams, predeceased her.
Caroline grew up in Barrington, RI. She majored in drama at Carnegie Mellon and at the Pasadena Playhouse. Her career included numerous feature television roles, starting with her breakthrough role as Janet Mason on Guiding Light and followed by starring roles on Soap, Benson, Nearly Departed, and Beverly Hills 90210. Broadway credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Rothschilds. Off-Broadway Caroline performed in productions for the NY Shakespeare Festival and American Shakespeare Festival. Film credits include Mermaids, White Water Summer and Highway Time. Director credits include Divorcons, Love Letters, The Making of n Justice, Chang and Eng, You Havent Changed a Bit and Other Lies and benefit productions for ALS.
Off-camera Caroline loved life and adventure, happiest spending time with family and friends while kayaking and hiking in New Hampshire, carving fresh tracks on the slopes, roller skating at the beach, body-surfing in the waves of Cape Cod and doing the bunny hop around the Chatham Bandstand.
Memorial services are Saturday morning, 2/20, at St. Albans Episcopal Church-Westwood (LA) and at a future date in New York. In lieu of flowers, please donate to: The Red Cross Haiti relief effort (www.redcross.org), Dana Farber Multiple Myeloma Research Program (44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115), or The Actors Fund (212.221.7300).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Caroline McWilliams
Jerome Mc Cluskey
April 11, 2025
Caroline was a great actress only seen most on sitcoms. She had to be a wonderful person off stage as well as she shines so bright
Sharron Miller
February 13, 2023
In an acting workshop I taught last year, I showed my students one of Caroline´s brilliant scenes in HBO's "Maximum Security." Afterwards, after a moment of stunned silence, the students couldn't stop singing her praises. They were so deeply moved by her transcendent performance. Her talent was a gift to the world. She always gave her all, did her best, and made everything better. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to work with her.
I remember her today with gratitude, and I send many good thoughts to her family and friends.
Sharron Miller
February 13, 2022
In memory of a wonderful talent and beautiful spirit, who made the world a better place just by being in it. God bless you and your family, Caroline. Your gifts continue to give.
Sharron Miller
February 13, 2019
I had the great joy of working with Caroline in Hollywood as her director. She was the consummate professional, a wonderful actress, and a woman with a great and kind spirit who made the world a better place just by being in it. I will cherish and miss her and remember her always. She was a very special soul. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
Jan Finch
January 27, 2019
When I was a teenager I loved watching The Guiding Light. My favorite couple was Ed and Janet. McWilliams projected warmth and kindness which came through the TV screen and I was so sad when she left the show. As a young girl I wanted to be like her - dignified, kind to others, full of love and life! Enjoyed her work throughout the years. God bless her soul and her family forever!
Karen K. Baker
September 27, 2013
I attended Pasadena Playhouse with Caroline and can say that she was one of the kindest and talented people I have ever had the pleasure to know. I am so sorry to learn of her passing. I will always remember her wonderful smile and her sweet soul. My regards to he family and friends.
Karen K. Baker
constance mccashin
March 6, 2010
I had the good fortune to work with Caroline in 1977 on a TIV pilot. It was one of my first jobs in LA, and she made it so easy. Las time I saw her was in Cape Cod... it saddens me that she is gone. She was the 'real deal'... hard to find in Hollywood.
Joyce Kornblatt
March 1, 2010
I went to college with Caroline, and remember that she had none of the conceit or insecurity with which so many drama students struggled. She radiated light, kindness and compassion. A beautiful person.
Don MacBeth
February 22, 2010
A beautiful lady and a wonderful talent. May God Bless you and your entire family.
February 21, 2010
I directed Caroline in the PBS drama "Pigeon Feathers" and an episode of the HBO series "Maximum Security." I adored her personally and absolutely loved working with her on both occasions. She was a brilliant talent and a light in the world. I will treasure the memory of our creative time together forever.
My deepest condolences to her family, especially to Sean, whom I met in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts in the summer of 1987 when we were filming "Pigeon Feathers." To this day I remember how much love there was between you and your Mom, Sean, and how glad she was that you were with her then.
My life is better because I knew you, dear Caroline. The world is a better place for all you gave it. . . I will never forget you.
May you rest in peace.
With loving gratitude,
Sharron Miller
Monica Dickhens
February 21, 2010
A professional with a heart of gold. Some of my favorite moments of my time in LA were those when I was working at her side. Dearest Sean, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
February 21, 2010
Caroline, thank you for your kindness and lovely heart, Rest In Peace...
Don De Mers, London Ontario Canada
Bill Chaitman
February 21, 2010
Caroline - one of the sweetest, loveliest, and most gifted actors around. Her legacy will live on in her son Sean -- very talented as well; he was a very devoted son -- but with parents like Caroline (and Michael), how could he be otherwise??
Rest well, dear Caroline. We love you.
Soapluvva
February 21, 2010
I met Caroline on only a single occasion, Monday, June 12, 1972, in the control room of CBS Studio 51 at 221 West 26 Street in New York City. On that day, episode #6389 of "The Guiding Light" was being taped. (I still have the script, so I know the exact date.) My (late) friend, Charlie Paul, was the musical director and organist of the show.
Charlie was on vacation that day, and his daughter, Pamela, was subbing for him. Pamela brought me into the control room and introduced me to Caroline, who was sitting in one of the chairs against the back wall. I was chatting with Caroline, and she, in turn, introduced me to director Nick Havinga and announcer Alan Berns. Caroline wasn't performing in that day's show, so, I assume she was in the studio for the dry rehearsal of the next day's script which occurred shortly after the current day's episode finished taping.
I loved Caroline's work as Janet Mason Norris on the show, and thought it was really cool to be sitting there right next to her, chatting away as if we were old friends.
My sincere condolences to Caroline's family, friends, fans, and colleagues.
If anyone is interested in listening to the theme song of "The Guiding Light" during some of the years that Caroline appeared on the show, go to my YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/soapluvva
christine mackie
February 20, 2010
So sorry to hear we lost such a great actress.My sympathy goes out to her family and friends.
Jerold Franks
February 20, 2010
I am personally deeply saddened to learn of Caroline's passing. Everytime we saw each other through the years, she generously and graciously thanked me for supporting her career when she arrived in Hollywood.
It was quite the contrary - I always told Caroline that she 'saved my reputation'. I was stuck - really stuck casting a role on 'Barney Miller' and Caroline's agent phoned me one afternoon to suggest I meet her.
Not only did we immediately bond, but she booked the role and that guest appearance gave her an opportunity to recur as the same character several times.
We are lucky to have known Caroline and she remains in my heart and memory forever.
My sincerest consolences to her immediate family and to her extended family of colleagues and friends.
Jerold Franks
Past President
Casting Society of America
Marybeth Nelson
February 19, 2010
Very sorry to hear this news. I have memories watching her perform going back to childhood (Soap, Benson...) and had the honor of being part of her medical care in Boston.
She was a remarkable person, loving mother and had a wonderful presence. My condolences to her son and family.
Elliot Gold
February 19, 2010
Elliot Gold here- I inteviewed Carolyne for my book Rememories in 1999.
She was delightful to interview, and gave me some of the greatest stories my readers got.
Sorry to hear of her passing.
Elliot Michael Gold
Altadena, CA
AARON O'DWYER
February 19, 2010
I AM SO VERY SORRY TO HERE ABOUT THE DEATH IN YOUR FAMILY YOUR FAMILY ARE IN MY PRAYERS AT THIS TIME OF NEED
Lynn & Chris Cornell
February 19, 2010
K-J, Patti, Norma, Sean, Casey, Jill, John, and family please know we are thinking of you and wishing to be there with you. Remembering Caroline and the incredible love she had for her sisters, son, niece and nephews, and they for her....shows a life well lived, although much too short...She will be missed by many but will forever warm our hearts when we recall her warmth, grace and that lovely smile.
Monika
February 18, 2010
God bless you, Ms. McWilliams. I only knew you through your TV work, but you brought such energy and sunshine to every role you played. My thoughts and prayers go out to your son as well as the rest of your family and friends. Rest in peace...
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