After 47 years of happy marriage and 70 years of a meaningful life, our lovely Carol has passed on. She was born in Summit, NJ, but spent most of her formative years in Chevy Chase, MD. Her father, Major General William H Baumer, a West Point graduate and military strategist, helped plan the D-Day invasion. Her mother, Alice Brough, attended Smith College.
Carol lived in the higher levels of society in Washington, D.C. but eschewed that lifestyle and migrated west, where she graduated from the University of Montana and University of California-Irvine. She lived in the West most of her adult life, teaching in Boulder, Colorado and enjoying the “outdoorsy” life with her husband and children.
It all began in the mid-1970’s. Carol and John had been friends for three years before, in no uncertain terms, she announced to him one day, ‘We’re getting married.” When John expressed some doubt, she said, “The date is July 15.” It was the happiest of friendships, growth, adventure, love, and family with a boy and a girl, Woody and Cory, both with degrees from the University of Colorado, and with Masters degrees from Seattle U and NYU respectively.
Carol and John enjoyed 15 years in The Villages until her tragic accident. She fell in the kitchen on Mother’s Day and was unresponsive. Though surgery was performed, she did not recover, passing away four days later in Brandley Hospice House.
She loved walking, and people always recognized her broad-brimmed hat and peculiar gait, that right arm swinging across her back. She took many exercise classes where she was known affectionately as “Pearl” because she always wore a string of them around her elegant neck. To say she will be missed is an understatement. We love you, Carol, and may your spirit guide us to emulate your kindness, courage, and empathy. As per her directives, no memorial or funeral is planned.