Carolyn Frances "CG" Carroll

Carolyn Frances Carroll (née Gahagan), known affectionately as CG, passed away on October 21, 2022, in Houston, TX, at the age of 80. Born on October 5, 1942, in Newark, NJ, Carolyn was passionate about art, education, religion and politics.

Carolyn's journey in education and art began at White Plains High School and continued through her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, and Brown University where she earned a B.A. in Art and Art History. A defining moment in Carolyn's life was her meeting and conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Brown University in November of 1960, which deeply influenced her interest in the integration of art and activism.

Furthering her education at UC Berkeley, she acquired teaching credentials in art and general education. Carolyn taught in public and parochial schools in the SF East Bay area as well as privately in Houston. Throughout her life, Carolyn remained concerned for the economically oppressed and marginalized, extending her energies beyond the classroom to local community civic and charity groups in the East Bay and Houston areas.

Carolyn's personal life was full of relationships and interests. She was a beloved wife, daughter, mother, friend, and caregiver. She is survived by her children, Patricia (Pear) Carroll and Timothy Carroll, their spouses Bradley Mitchell and Nancy Feidelman, and her three grandchildren, Benjamin Carroll, Evelina Mitchell, and Caleb Carroll. Carolyn also leaves behind a large family including seven sisters-in-law: her husband's sisters in Ireland - Sadie Meehan, Eileen McGuire, Reena Fanning, Mary Nagle and Margaret Harte and her brothers' widows - Carolina Gahagan and Becky Gahagan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Mary Carroll, her parents, Neil and Eleanor Gahagan, and her brother, Robert Gahagan. Her brother Peter Gahagan passed away on May 2nd, 2023.

Carolyn's hobbies included skiing, body surfing, traveling, reading and spending time with her family. Her spiritual life was nurtured at several places of worship, including Our Lady of Sorrows Church in White Plains, NY; Manning Chapel at Brown University; Newman Hall Holy Spirit Parish at UC Berkeley; and Holy Family Catholic Church in Missouri City, TX.

A memorial mass will be held to honor Carolyn's life at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in White Plains, NY. Her final resting place will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in White Plains in a Gahagan family gravesite.

Carolyn's legacy of compassion, artistic expression, and community involvement will continue to inspire those who knew her. Her family hopes to exhibit her art and writings in the future, celebrating her profound hopes for peace and positive change. Carolyn gave regularly to local charities to help those lacking housing, food and care - two are listed below if anyone wishes to leave donations in her memory. The Maryknoll Society https://maryknollsociety.org/ and Bay Area Rescue Mission https://www.bayarearescue.org/