Carolyn Cooley Stamm

Carolyn passed away on January 17, 2025, after a brief illness.
Carolyn was born on April 12, 1957, in Rochester, Minnesota to Dr. Jack Cooley and Gloria (Gamage) Cooley. She is survived by:
Neil Stamm (Husband)
Jared Stamm (Son)
Zachary Stamm (Grandson)
Crystal Cooley (Sister)
Craig Cooley (Brother)
Carter Cooley (nephew)
Cameron Cooley (nephew)
Martha Thurston (niece)
Kelsey Stamm (niece)
She was raised in Champaign, Illinois. Carolyn attended Illinois Wesleyan University upon graduation from high school. Taking a year off from college she worked at Beaver's Lodge in Winter Park, Colorado where she met her future husband, Neil Stamm. She continued her college education in 1977, attending Doane College in Crete, Nebraska. Carolyn finished her Bachelor of Education at the University of South Dakota in 1979. In 1986 she entered the graduate program at the University of Virginia. She earned her M.Ed. degree in Gifted Education in 1987.
In 1988 she started her 25 years of teaching in the Virginia Beach City Schools. Carolyn's love of teaching focused on moving student learning beyond the classroom. Over her 25 years of teaching in VBCPS, she taught at Old Donation Center for the Gifted and Talented (1988-1992), Kempsville Middle School (1992-1997), Kemps Landing Magnet School for the Gifted (1997-2007), Brandon Middle School (2007-2013).
Carolyn was a firm believer in taking students out of the classroom and applying their knowledge and skills to real life issues. As a part of the Community Problem of Virginia, her students addressed the topics of Bicycle Helmet Safety, Newborn testing for A curable genetic disease, Asthma Awareness, Playground Safety, and Toy Safety. Over the years, her students presented and spoke at City Council meetings, a Congressional subcommittee, medical doctors and medical students, and many other professionals who couldn't believe that 11to 14 year old kids were presenting information about a current issue. Her students were featured in several media programs
Her students also participated in Future Problem Solving of Virginia. Over the years, her students won many state and international competitions.
In 2013 Carolyn dedicated her efforts to raising her grandson, Zachary. She also provided support to her husband (of 46 years), her son Jared's, and grandson Zach's passion for scuba diving.
A celebration of Carolyn's life will take place Monday Feb. 3, 2025 at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts, 2002 Laskin Road Virginia Beach, Va. 23454 at 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia at bayyouth.org