Carolyn Rosetta VanAllen

Carolyn Rosetta (Gilbert) VanAllen "Carol", 82 years young of Hartford, CT passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Carolyn was born in Saint Petersburg, Florida to the late Katharyn "Kitty" (Pertee) Fitzgerald and Ernest Gilbert. An only child, Carolyn loved to share her cherished childhood memories growing up in the South with her family with precious memories with cousins, uncles, aunts, and her beloved grandparents, the late Elder Ethel Mae Evans and Daddy Charles who taught her how to drive, and "Mother Dear", whom she always shared precious memories with, as she grew into a beautiful classy young lady.
Carolyn attended North Carolina A&T University. Later, she moved to Connecticut and started her family/career with former husband, Richard VanAllen. Carolyn worked for many years at the Bloomfield Town Hall in Bloomfield, CT. She then became employed by the Hartford Board of Education in Hartford, CT, retiring after many years of service.
Carol was very wise and always provided phenomenal advice to her children and grandchildren that we'll always remember throughout our life's journey. She was very devoted to the care of her family, as she was the main piece of our puzzle.
Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed doing her yard work, shopping, watching good movies, and enjoying her grandchildren as she watched them grow from birth, and most importantly, her love for ice cream.
After retirement Carolyn enjoyed cruises to the Bahamas, backyard barbecues, road trips, and overall spending time with family laughing and joking. Everyone who met her instantly loved her "cute little self", is what she was always known for. Carolyn loved staying active, loved music, and loved visiting her daughter's Zumba exercise classes. Carloyn had a love for hair, fashion, jewelry and high-heel shoes. She was a powerful lady, at just "four foot eleven" whose presence was known and felt when she entered the room.
Carol, leaves to keep her legacy strong two daughters, Traci D. VanAllen and Katharyn L. VanAllen (Kay-Kay), three grandchildren, Alan J. Gibson, Jr., Sadiki S. Blake, Jr., and Shauna N.C. Allen, along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, her beloved family in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, and the community of Hartford, CT who also loved her dearly. Carol will be deeply missed. May she rest in everlasting peace in God's almighty hands.