Carol Summers' parents, mine and another couple were nearly life long friends, a close group of young adults who met after all 6 of them moved to north St. Louis County after WWII, then later we and Carol's family ended up in Kirkwood. We were never in school together, she lived on West Jewel so went to Keysor, and I to Robinson, she to North Jr., I to Nipher. She had an adorable older brother whom we idolized, and later her parents had another child, a daughter who was the god-daughter of my parents. Before we hit KHS they moved to Needham, MA for her dad's career. We wrote and talked on the phone some, but as our lives moved on we lost touch. Recently I decided I needed to find out why I hadn't heard from her in a long time, only to learn she had died. I wrote to her sister but have never had a reply. Carol had some sadness in her life, she was only back here one time after they left town, and that was for our 40th KHS reunion. She stayed with me and Paul, and visited with some of her pals, I know Marcia Carpenter and she reunited, and some of the other folks she knew when here. I remember well her crush on Bill Bailey! And of course we listened to records, Pat Boone sang his dreamy songs played on her record player in her own room! I thought that was amazing, I had to listen to the one in our family room! I know some of you KHS65 folks will remember Carol - she was smart, adorable, talented and a good friend. I miss having her to talk to about our very very young years! After her life well lived, I believe she is resting in peace. Her brother Frank who lived in Kansas City died some years ago so perhaps they are up there reminiscing together!
March
27, 1947 – September 14, 2022 Talented, Smart, Compassionate, Daughter,
Sister, Loyal Friend, Artist, Librarian, Supportive Co-worker,
Environmentalist & Scrub Jay Enthusiast! Carol Jean Summers of
Ventura California passed away on September 14, 2022. Carol was born on
March 27, 1947, after WWII to her parents Frank Boydston Summers, II,
who served as an Air Force Captain in the war, and Myrtis Cruise Summers
who served with him at the base. In that post-war time of renewal and
new beginnings, Carol came into the world, and with her father, mother
and brother, a new life began. The family moved to Kirkwood, Missouri,
where Carol and her brother Frank (Frank Boydston Summers, III) grew
up in a loving environment with many friends and family. At age 12,
Carol became a mentor to her new sister, Barbara Kendall Summers, whom she
loved and cared for through their years together. Carol attended school in Kirkwood until the family moved to Massachusetts just before she entered high school. In both high schools, Carol was a team member and
leader of the Cheerleading Squad, and had many friends at Needham High School from where she graduated in 1965. Carol attended one year of Stephens College in Columbia, MO, before enrolling in and completing the Kathryn Gibbs
Secretarial program in Boston, Mass., following which she served as
secretary to the President of Index Technology Corp in Cambridge, MA.
Following the death of her mother in 1974, and the opening of a new
world of opportunities for women, Carol decided to take a chance and
spread her wings. She packed her bags and moved across the country to
Arizona. There she completed a B.A in Graphic Arts and then a Master’s
Degree in Library Science at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Carol
applied for a reference librarian position at the Oxnard Public Library
in California and, at this turning point in her life, she got the job of
her dreams. Once again on the road, Carol enthusiastically moved to
California, where she loved her life on the Pacific Coast. (Before there
was Siri, you could call up the Oxnard Public Library with a question,
and a reference librarian would find the answer – which was often
Carol!) Carol’s job was a perfect fit with her passion for life-long
learning, and she treasured her many friends and her relationships with
her co-workers workers at the library where she served for over 25
years. After many travels and adventures, Carol made her home in
Ventura, California. She followed her passions and heart, becoming
active in environmental groups, and causes. Carol was also a committed
Democrat and vocal for progressive causes. She loved the nature in
California especially the birds. Carol is known for befriending the
California Scrub Jays that lived around her and learned to trust her
gentle and caring nature. Each day the birds would even come and sit on
her arm. She lived a happy life in California, where she was blessed
with many friends with whom she shared the wonders of her life and for
which she was very grateful. Please join us for a “Celebration of Life”
memorial service for Carol. The service will be held at 12:00 (noon) on
Saturday, November 19, 2022 at the Park Palm Beach House, 236 East
Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, California, with a casual catered lunch to
follow. Donations in Carol’s memory may be sent to: Santa Barbara
Wildlife Care Network 1460 N. Fairview Ave. Goleta, CA 93117 and/or The
Elephant Sanctuary, 27 East Main Street, Hohenwald, TN 38462 (where Carol
often made donations).
Posted online on November 04, 2022 Published in Ventura County Star
