Carol Robertson Woodruff

Carol Robertson Woodruff (Smith), 87, of Barnstable, MA, formerly of Needham MA, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024 after a 3 year battle with stomach cancer. She responded well to treatments, allowing her to enjoy life until late last fall and, thankfully, making her struggle with the disease brief. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, known for her kindness and caring. She treasured her family above all else, especially any time spent with her older granddaughter Grace, who was the light of her life.

The third child born to Harold and Helen Smith (Parker) on February 11, 1937, she was the younger sister to Jane and Skip (Frederick) and older sister to Peter. She grew up in Brighton, MA at a time when people still had barns full of 200+ chickens in their backyards and had fond memories of being tasked with collecting the eggs. She graduated from Brighton High School in 1954. She was very active in her local International Order of Rainbow chapter and took great pride in having been a Grand Worthy Advisor. After high school, she attended Fisher Junior College where she trained to be an executive secretary. Upon graduation, she was hired to work at IBM where she was employed for 25 years in a variety of rewarding roles, including switchboard operator, accounts receivable, and executive secretary. It was there that she met her husband Don (Donald). The two married in 1977 and welcomed daughter Sarah later that year. As someone who was told she would never have children, being gifted with a child was especially meaningful to her. Her greatest joys were found in raising Sarah, prompting her to never return to full-time work. She and Don moved to Needham in 1978 where they lived for the next 35 years. She took immense pride in her home and loved her Needham neighbors and community. It was where she was happiest and made sure her home was a loving, safe refuge for all. A true homebody, she was deathly afraid of flying for much of her life, preferring to take vacations by car to various New England locales. Instead, she took great joy in living vicariously through Don and Sarah on adventures she would send them on, whether it be skiing in New Hampshire and Maine or fly fishing in Alaska. Only after Sarah ventured west to live in Montana did she finally conquer her fear and board a plane. Nothing would keep her from her family.

From the time she was 14, Carol's family also always included at least one dog, usually a Cocker Spaniel. Dogs were her other great love and she cared for each of hers with as much love and kindness as she did her people. She was a master at finding joy in the little things in life. Despite failing eyesight in recent years, she could often be found sitting on the back deck of her and Don's home in Barnstable where they retired in 2013, watching and listening to the songbirds and hummingbirds or admiring Don's flower and vegetable garden. She loved God, her country, a good Golden Girls or All in the Family marathon, a warm mug of tea with honey, and any flavor of ice cream as long as it was chocolate, preferably Brigham's. In 2014, Sarah and her partner Erik welcomed daughter Grace, Carol's first grandchild, who quickly became her pride and joy. She loved nothing more than being 'Nanny' to Grace and, since June 2023, to Elise, and treasured every minute spent with her girls.

Carol is survived by her loving husband Donald, daughter Sarah and her partner Erik Dailey of Medfield, MA, granddaughters Grace and Elise, beloved brother Dr. Peter Smith and his wife Betsy of Marstons Mills, MA, sister-in-law Sally Parker of Lima, OH, brothers and sisters-in-law Stephen and Janet Woodruff of Bridgewater, MA and David and Denise Woodruff of Boxford, MA, step-children Cheryl Browne (Woodruff) of Newport News, VA, Christine King (Woodruff) of Carrollton, VA, and Craig Woodruff of Wesley Chapel, FL, and countless nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, and step great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister Jane, childhood partner in midnight mayonnaise sandwich mischief, and brother Skip. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held this spring, once we can see through our tears, with interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Brighton, MA alongside her dear father who she lost in 1960 and never stopped missing. Casper Funeral and Cremation Services will be handling arrangements.

There were several causes near and dear to Carol's heart. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Boston or to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.