Carol Ann Lavery

Carol Ann Lavery obituary, Eugene, OR

Carol Ann Lavery

Carol Lavery Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 31, 2025.
Eugene - Carol Ann Lavery of Eugene died on July 20, 2025 from congestive heart failure and related causes. She was 79 years old. Carol was born in Lawrence, KS on January 29, 1946 to Carl H. Lavery and Juanita E. Lavery. Her early education was in Lawrence public schools and she graduated from the University of Kansas in 1968 with a BA degree in Anthropology. Her first marriage ended in divorce. Following graduation, Carol held several positions supporting the Anthropology Dept at KU. As an interim job she drove a forklift for a big-box retailer distribution warehouse, breaking the gender barrier for that particular post, and in 1977 she went to work for the Menninger Foundation as a job counselor. In 1980 she took a position in Washington DC with the White House Press Office. She remained in this position for 12 years participating in extensive international travel on Presidential trips abroad. These were exciting and rewarding years for her and she was dearly loved by her White House colleagues. In 1992 she moved to Idaho Falls, ID where she took a job as a technical editor at the Idaho National Laboratory. It was there she met her second husband, William Lew Powell who also worked at the INL. In 2002, they retired and moved to Eugene, Oregon, where they enjoyed retired life including several years of international travel. Carol was fiercely independent, strongly opinionated, and a loyal friend. She was very involved with the Assistance League of Eugene as well as several activist organizations. Carol followed national politics closely and was discouraged and distressed by the current political climate in the country. She is survived by her husband William Lew Powell of Eugene, her brother Curtis Lavery and his husband Mark Van Oss of San Francisco, and several cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother David, and her first husband Paul L. Zillner. The family is grateful to the staff at Pete Moore Hospice House of Eugene for their kind and gentle care of Carol in her final days.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Carol Lavery's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 8, 2025

Charlene Talkington posted to the memorial.

August 4, 2025

Monika Dinsmore posted to the memorial.

August 4, 2025

joan stansfield (walden) posted to the memorial.

Charlene Talkington

August 8, 2025

I first met Carol through mutual quilting friends. Our paths intertwined through the DAC, our love of cycling and similar political and humanitarian tendencies. She was such a vibrant spirit with compassion and joy of life. I will miss her greatly.

Monika Dinsmore

August 4, 2025

I remember Carol as a very good friend at the DAC. She was always so friendly and had a compliment for me. I will miss her greatly.

joan stansfield (walden)

August 4, 2025

Carol and I started at the White House together about a week apart -- having been recruited by the same source -- an important family friend/ mentor of mine -- and we began in the West Wing in 1979! We were so young, and worked for the press office (starting with President Carter, and then on to President Reagan) and got to travel to so many places together with a handful of other stenographers (stenos, as they referred to us), and the press corps -- typing our way across the world for the President. It was an amazing job for such young people! Amazing memories. I loved Carol and last saw her several years ago at the funeral of another fellow steno -- time goes by so fast, yet God is good, and the best is yet to come! I will miss her and wish I had gotten to speak with her more recently. Sending blessings of love, peace and encouragement to her loved ones.

Sherrill Kirchhoff

August 2, 2025

Carol was a cherished friend for years at the Tate condo building in Eugene. Our group became especially close during the Covid years, meeting daily as the BLOTS (Bag Ladies of the Tate) sitting six feet apart in the garage. Carol was a ringleader with tales of both triumph and woe.
Her humor was welcome; her politics, spot on; her adventures, found in novels. Her laugh!
She will be missed. Peace.

Ruth Burnette

August 1, 2025

Carol and I were friends from the late 1960s, meeting at Watson Library at KU. I treasure the great times we had. Not only here in Lawrence but also when I visited her in DC and she took me into the White House. I was able to visit her twice in Idaho Falls. The second time we went on a several days girl´s road trip and took in Glacier National Park and Montana. Will miss her.

Laurie Ward

August 1, 2025

To William Lew Powell, Curtis and others, I extend my sincere condolences to you over Carol's passing. Meeting at a job at the KU library in the summer of 1971, we became pals. After she moved away, we invariably, serendipitously encountered one another, each time she came back to Lawrence for visits. She took me on a memorable tour of the White House, when she worked there. We would also swap stories about KU Endowment; her father´s service there well known, before I went to work later for that organization. Carol was one of my very favorite humans in all the world.

Dot Bloomfield

August 1, 2025

Carol was an acquaintance whose opinion I valued, particularly involving politics.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in Carol Lavery's name

How to support Carol's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Carol Lavery's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Carol Lavery's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 8, 2025

Charlene Talkington posted to the memorial.

August 4, 2025

Monika Dinsmore posted to the memorial.

August 4, 2025

joan stansfield (walden) posted to the memorial.