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
Thank you so much, Leslie, for the sad update about Carol.
ReplyDeleteI considered her to be a dear friend during our Junior High years.
We touched base again in college when I was at nearby Westminster College.
What an interesting life she lived.
We all wished she’d stayed at Kirkwood….but she was always a true Pioneer!