Caryl L. "List" Fairbank

Caryl L. Fairbank (List) - Methuen, MA

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Caryl L. Fairbank (List) in the early morning hours of July 13, 2025 at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. She was born March 5, 1952 in Dorchester, MA to Harold and Pauline (Kassian) List. She spent her childhood in Brookline, MA and then her high school years in Wayland, MA. She also fondly remembered summers on Nantasket beach growing up. She obtained her undergrad degree in English before eventually going on to earn a Master of Social Work from Boston University in 1984. She had an extensive career as a licensed clinical social worker, taking on many roles; including but not limited to working with teens, crisis hotlines, and life coaching. After her time working at Hampstead Hospital, she opened a private psychotherapy practice where she saw both couples and individuals for a variety of concerns. She practiced for 35 years before retiring in 2023.

She met her husband Michael working at Mr Steak in 1973. She was a server, he was a dishwasher, and the rest was history. They celebrated 50 years of marriage together on May 25, 2025, and Michael still does the dishes. They moved to Methuen, MA in 1985, where they raised their two kids, Isaac and Hannah. Caryl always wanted to raise her kids in the Jewish faith, choosing to do so as members of the Temple Emanu-El congregation in Haverhill, MA. They were also long standing members of the Bradford Swim Club in Bradford, MA.

Caryl made an impact on everyone she met. She was unapologetically herself at all times, and full of opinions; solicited or not. She was passionate about connecting with people and forming deep, meaningful bonds. She loved music of all kinds, books, movies and TV shows. She ensured her children had a childhood full of art, culture, animals, amazing food and plenty of vacations near the beach. She almost never missed a swim meet or a band performance. She may not have ever been on time, but she knew how to show up for the people she cared about. Her sense of style was as vibrant as her personality, with a closet full of shoes, scarves, and jewelry. She channeled her creativity into a variety of hobbies over the years including, but not limited to, jewelry making, collecting blue glass, and refinishing antique furniture. She was passionate about gardening and had an excellent green thumb, both for flowers and vegetables. Planting their garden was something she and Michael took great pride in every year. In the summer she could always be found chasing the sun around the BSC, refusing to leave the beach no matter how much her kids whined, and taking trips with her family to Phippsburg, ME. In the winter, she could be found with something yummy simmering on the stove or in the crockpot, but absolutely not outside in the snow. She preferred to escape the cold by visiting her snowbird parents in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

She is remembered fondly by friends she collected through all walks of life. She is survived by her husband Michael R. Fairbank; her son Isaac C. Fairbank and his wife Andrea Lawson of Fundao, Portugal; her daughter Hannah R. Fairbank and fiance Daniel C. Ehramjian of Methuen, MA; her great aunt Judy Fink (Kassian) and husband Arthur Fink of Stoughton, MA; her sister Elena Shanabrook (List) and husband Nevin Shanabrook of Ashland, MA. She also leaves behind multiple nieces and nephews, as well as a few great nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by her parents.

A celebration of life will take place on Wednesday August 20, 2025, from 5-7 pm at the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. If you have any photos to include in a slideshow of memories, please send them to her daughter, Hannah, prior to the celebration. All who have felt her impact, and will feel her loss, are invited to join the family to honor her memory.

Please visit www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com for directions, or to sign the online guest book.