Name: Visitation for Carol Lynn Hanchette
Start: 2017-10-16T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-10-17T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Mulino Italian Kitchen

Carol Lynn Hanchette

August 16, 1955 - October 9, 2017

Louisville, KY

Most obituaries begin with a notice of death. These words will flow with evidence of an amazing, adventurous, and loved life by Carol Lynn Hanchette, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Teacher, Reader, Explorer.

Carol began life in Woodbury NJ (she lived there for two weeks, so Carol always hated to admit it) on August 16, 1955. First child of four, the Hanchette family embarked upon a life of travel in the wonder years which created an innate wanderlust in Carol to explore the world and become a catalyst of coaching "curiosity" in her own children, her students and always, herself.

Carol's kids were her life, pride and joy. Nevin Aviles, student at University of Louisville, is gifted at making Carol laugh through humored antics and creative storytelling. Adrianna Aviles has been teaching English in South Korea for three years and is recognized by her mom as being a good travelling partner and sharing her passion for global cultures.

Education played a crucial role in Carol's life. Her own education took place in various cities throughout the world: High School in Switzerland, Undergraduate in Alberta Canada. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Geography from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and in 2002, Carol became an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Geosciences at the University of Louisville, KY teaching courses in medical geography, globalization, mapping and GIS in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Carol did not live to work. She worked to live, and provide for her children. Her life loves are reading, ice skating, traveling, and being outdoors. She was an active participant in the Sierra Club and volunteered with ICO, a Louisville organization focused on providing opportunities for youth to explore, enjoy and protect the natural world. A kayak enthusiast, avid hiker and outdoors-woman, Carol's most recent trip took her back to her beloved Montana, her Thursday's facebook post declared "Great to be back in Big Sky Country".

Carol left us in mountain and sky on October 9, 2017. She is survived by Adrianna and Nevin Aviles; Jim, Adaire, Pete, Dave, Kim, Meggie and Adam Hanchette; Trevor, Trish, Brayton, Quinn and Lydie Spear; felines Buddha, Shadow, Echo, Rexie, Lexie and woman's best friend/canine, Libra. She lived with an appreciation of life and its many gifts and because of her, we all experienced joy, curiosity and love. Adrianna said it best "She is like the North Star to me…a constant on the horizon that I head towards knowing it can guide and enlighten me". We will miss our Carol, every day, dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Louisville ICO via its website: http://www.sierraclub.org/cumberland/louisville-ico.

In Honor of Carol, A Drop In Reception will be held Monday, October 16, 2017 5-8 pm at Mulino Italian Kitchen, 309 North Dawson Street, Raleigh NC 27603.

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

Published by The News and Observer on Oct. 15, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Carol Hanchette

Sponsored by Pearson Funeral Home.

15 Entries

Charlie Zhang

October 11, 2019

Dear Carol, You will be remembered by many of us for a very very long time! We miss you so much. I am so fortunate to have you as my colleague. Thanks so much for your kind inspirations, advice and care for everyone. I am so proud of having you as my colleague, mentor and friend!

Sue Grady

February 24, 2018

Carol will be missed deeply in our medical and health geography community. My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Carol's family and her colleagues and students in the Department of Geography and Geosciences.

Bill Crook

December 18, 2017

Dear Family of Carol,
I do not know any of you but do remember Carol well from her days at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C.. I am so sorry for the sudden and too soon loss of your mother. My memories of Carol are of a sparkly eyed and vivacious brunette. Outspoken in her thoughts but not confrontational. Full of life and from the online information I have read, still full of adventure until the end. As part of our anthropolgy group we were often in the field together. Carol was dependable and a leader by example. An animal person even back then, Carol had a very cool dog named Skeezer whom I wished was my dog. I am sure Carol would want you to remember her in a John Denver sort of way by the breeze you feel on your face, by the sunshine that warms your body, by the majesty of nature, and by the laughter of children. Your mom was special.

Edith Conyers

October 23, 2017

So sorry to learn of the passing of Carol. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Edith and Stan Conyers, Garner, NC.

Dianne Enright

October 23, 2017

I will always be thankful to have had the best mentor anyone could ask for and that was Carol. She was not only a boss but an extremely good friend. She taught me a lot and try to pass what I have learned through her to others.

October 19, 2017

I got to know Carol when she worked with me at RTI. We often moved from talking about work to intense conversations about the rest of life. I have wonderful memories of her scientific skill, her passion for a life well lived, and her love for her children.
Deborah Gibbsa

Charlie Zhang

October 17, 2017

I am especially grateful to Carol for guiding me to the research field of medical geography. Over the last three years we had collaborated very well on a research project and i have learned many things from Carol - her dedication, fearlessness, and her passion. She had inspired so many people! I am so proud of being Carol's colleague, collaborator and friend. She will be greatly missed!

October 17, 2017

Jim, Adair and family ... sending our most sincere sympathy. You are surely in our thoughts and prayers. Debbie & Randy Willard

Deborah Keeling

October 17, 2017

Carol was an exceptional colleague. Her contributions to the Department of Geography and Geoscience as well as the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville were extensive. She will be missed by us all.

Deborah

Billie Weaver

October 16, 2017

This is the most beautiful and tasteful obituary I have ever read. My thoughts are with the survivors.

JR Black

October 16, 2017

I had no idea Dr. Hanchette was such an amazing woman, but I am not at all surprised. She was my favorite GIS instructor, which sounds so small when it means and meant quite a lot to me. This former student is so grateful for her life. Thank you to her family for sharing her with the world; my deepest sympathies for your loss.

David Keefe

October 16, 2017

Dear Trish
Deepest condolences for your loss, having been a hiker, I understand the drive, I look forward to seeing her in Heaven and sharing some hiking stories. My family will continue to lift you all up in our prayers, let us know if you need anything
David Keefe

Gary Schwartz

October 15, 2017

I first met Carol 30 years ago in Chapel Hill, NC; she was a grad student in medical geography, I was a student in epidemiology. Together we worked on the (then outlandish!) idea that ultraviolet light inhibits prostate cancer mortality. We first needed data on ultraviolet light in U.S. counties so Carol calculated these for thousands of counties by hand. Her maps, which showed that ultraviolet light and prostate cancer mortality rates were mirror images of one another, were published in the journal Cancer and became a classic in medical geography. The recipe was classic Carol: take a large dash of wonder; apply sacks of sweat, simmer and serve. Carol was a force of nature: full of wonder and power --- I will miss her more than I can say.