Carolyn came into my life at the apex of my high school experiences, of which she was a treasured part. We shared a class in our Junior year, but I did not know anything about her until we passed in the hall between classes one day. She broke the ice with a hello and a smile so broad it was reminiscent of the Chesire cat. She had the most beautiful golden brown eyes I have ever seen, with light brown hair to compliment, and a slight bounce to her stride that betokened a certain easy self-confidence I really admired.
I do not recall Carolyn being involved in any high school associations. But she was diligent about her education. As far as I know, she had an excellent GPA. One day she invited me over to her house after school. It was in the fall when most of the leaves had dropped. We enjoyed a wonderful strole to her home, during which I marveled that she did not have more friends in her life. Our conversation was easy, even upon tender subjects. She had a charming way of putting a person at ease that reflected a non-judgemental personality. Her attitude was so engaging I could not have detected anything remiss with her life.
Carolyn must have been a latch-key child, for there was no one at home during the hour I visited. She graciously presented her family to me by the pictures placed about the livingroom, relating summary descriptions about her family members. She had some skill on the piano, and was striving to become accomplished at it, demonstrating briefly her ability. Her home was a small cottage compared to the mansions of today, and it was elegantly decorated, without a hint of avarice.
During that brief and only visit, Carolyn proved to be an excellent hostess. She was delighted to have a friend visit with her, and shared various parts of her family history. We also enjoyed an engaging discussion of current events, both about school and the world at large. I reluctantly left possessed of some of the warmest feelings I've ever experienced in someone's home.
When I was sent away at Christmas that year by my father I decided to correpond by mail with Carolyn. This lasted up until the end of our Junior year. My circumstances mitigated against a regular correspondence and we lost contact with each other. I have regretted that loss ever since. The last communication I have from her was written in my year book, a charming lament of having lost a good friend.
World and personal events took us in widely divergent directions. Unfortunately, I did not learn of her passing until the 2008 reunion. It was shocking and I have periodically grieved the lost opportunities to continue our friendship before she passed away. Carolyn should not be forgotten, and I only wish I had more to share here about her love and laughter. When my turn arrives I will be delighted to meet her again and soak up that Chesire smile.
Dear Jess, The comments you made about Carolyn were beautful and heart felt. I briefully ,,,4 yrs..in grade school, Uinta. Carolyn and I and about 30 kids (maybe you too) had to stay after school every day for Russian Classes. We would occasionaly walk home together, and I too, visited her home one day. Her Mom was home that day, and I got a better picture of Carolyn's life at home, which I found a little strange. She had a difficult time at school, socially, and I found out why.. Her mother made her wear make-up...we were 9) and I mean a lot of it. She had powder , rouge, mascara. And I can still smell the perfume her mother insisted she ware. Her features were strong and pretty enough without all that stuff, but it made her a target, so strange she was seen.
I recall in Junior High Carolyn had a terrible time, that in retrospect I am angry I didn't step up to stop it. A number of students decided to tirck her, and all become her "best" friend. With all these new found friends she was then talked into running for president of the school, oh it was quite a show, ala Carrie. Of course she lost I know who the suspects are, and at least I didn't join in.
So It was with sorrow as well that I learned that Carolyn had passed, with no explanation. I had never forgotten her and hoped she had a good end after hight school. I did wonder at the time I visited her home (pertfly kept as you said) if maybe her mother was from another culture, her treatment of Carolyn was so different..
Thank you for your very kind words, keeping Carolyn's memory alive.
Kudos to Jess and Kathy for your comments regarding Carolyn. It is sad that sometimes it takes as long as 50 years to understand what friendship is, or was as in our knowing Carolyn. I, too, regret deeply not engaging more with Carolyn. She was genuine, a listener, someone we all would want as a conversant and friend today. It is always amazing to me how every person impacts the lives of others, usually in unknown or latently identified ways. I believe that is a good reason why we are on this rock--to affect and be affected. Carolyn is one of these for me, in both ways.
It’s amazing what memories we have of different friends. I knew Carolyn Adams in Elementary school - Uintah. We had a rather cruel and hopefully archaic way of picking teams for P.E. Two people stood up and picked teams. Girls played girls but the sad thing was Carolyn was always chosen last. I never really got it until I became a teacher. I don’t remember her wearing make-up but I do remember her being teased a lot. One day in 5th grade, our teacher Mr. Baker left the room and kids were laughing and pointing at Carolyn. Her dress was unbuttoned in the back. I surprised myself and found me walking to the back of the room (desks were screwed to the floor), and walked up the next row and slid in behind her and buttoned her dress. She whispered ‘thank you’” as if I saved her life. As I was walking the long way back, my thoughts betrayed me. I thought, “Oh no, now they will tease me,’ but not a word was spoken. I told this to my classes each year. I’d like to say we became friends but it was at the end of the year and we weren’t in the same class in 6th grade and went to different junior highs. I wonder if she married, if she had grandchildren, if her emotional wounds ever healed.wounds healed. One thing that my students knew I would not allow was teasing in my classroom. It was my attempt to say, Carolyn, “I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you more.”
The last time I saw Carolyn was approximately 1970, 1971. She had just married a fellow who was quite a bit older than she. They both were shopping and stopped by at my dad's shop LaGalerie on 1st South in downtown Salt Lake. We had a brief and pleasant conversation. I remember exactly what she was wearing - all dark navy blue - a finely tailored dress and overcoat. She wore a hat with a wide net veil over her eyes. Beyond grown up and classy!
Jess Ware
Carolyn came into my life at the apex of my high school experiences, of which she was a treasured part. We shared a class in our Junior year, but I did not know anything about her until we passed in the hall between classes one day. She broke the ice with a hello and a smile so broad it was reminiscent of the Chesire cat. She had the most beautiful golden brown eyes I have ever seen, with light brown hair to compliment, and a slight bounce to her stride that betokened a certain easy self-confidence I really admired.
I do not recall Carolyn being involved in any high school associations. But she was diligent about her education. As far as I know, she had an excellent GPA. One day she invited me over to her house after school. It was in the fall when most of the leaves had dropped. We enjoyed a wonderful strole to her home, during which I marveled that she did not have more friends in her life. Our conversation was easy, even upon tender subjects. She had a charming way of putting a person at ease that reflected a non-judgemental personality. Her attitude was so engaging I could not have detected anything remiss with her life.
Carolyn must have been a latch-key child, for there was no one at home during the hour I visited. She graciously presented her family to me by the pictures placed about the livingroom, relating summary descriptions about her family members. She had some skill on the piano, and was striving to become accomplished at it, demonstrating briefly her ability. Her home was a small cottage compared to the mansions of today, and it was elegantly decorated, without a hint of avarice.
During that brief and only visit, Carolyn proved to be an excellent hostess. She was delighted to have a friend visit with her, and shared various parts of her family history. We also enjoyed an engaging discussion of current events, both about school and the world at large. I reluctantly left possessed of some of the warmest feelings I've ever experienced in someone's home.
When I was sent away at Christmas that year by my father I decided to correpond by mail with Carolyn. This lasted up until the end of our Junior year. My circumstances mitigated against a regular correspondence and we lost contact with each other. I have regretted that loss ever since. The last communication I have from her was written in my year book, a charming lament of having lost a good friend.
World and personal events took us in widely divergent directions. Unfortunately, I did not learn of her passing until the 2008 reunion. It was shocking and I have periodically grieved the lost opportunities to continue our friendship before she passed away. Carolyn should not be forgotten, and I only wish I had more to share here about her love and laughter. When my turn arrives I will be delighted to meet her again and soak up that Chesire smile.
Jess Ware
Kathy L. Taylor (Relis)
Dear Jess, The comments you made about Carolyn were beautful and heart felt. I briefully ,,,4 yrs..in grade school, Uinta. Carolyn and I and about 30 kids (maybe you too) had to stay after school every day for Russian Classes. We would occasionaly walk home together, and I too, visited her home one day. Her Mom was home that day, and I got a better picture of Carolyn's life at home, which I found a little strange. She had a difficult time at school, socially, and I found out why.. Her mother made her wear make-up...we were 9) and I mean a lot of it. She had powder , rouge, mascara. And I can still smell the perfume her mother insisted she ware. Her features were strong and pretty enough without all that stuff, but it made her a target, so strange she was seen.
I recall in Junior High Carolyn had a terrible time, that in retrospect I am angry I didn't step up to stop it. A number of students decided to tirck her, and all become her "best" friend. With all these new found friends she was then talked into running for president of the school, oh it was quite a show, ala Carrie. Of course she lost I know who the suspects are, and at least I didn't join in.
So It was with sorrow as well that I learned that Carolyn had passed, with no explanation. I had never forgotten her and hoped she had a good end after hight school. I did wonder at the time I visited her home (pertfly kept as you said) if maybe her mother was from another culture, her treatment of Carolyn was so different..
Thank you for your very kind words, keeping Carolyn's memory alive.
Kathy Taylor Relis
Ric B. Olsen (Olsen)
Kudos to Jess and Kathy for your comments regarding Carolyn. It is sad that sometimes it takes as long as 50 years to understand what friendship is, or was as in our knowing Carolyn. I, too, regret deeply not engaging more with Carolyn. She was genuine, a listener, someone we all would want as a conversant and friend today. It is always amazing to me how every person impacts the lives of others, usually in unknown or latently identified ways. I believe that is a good reason why we are on this rock--to affect and be affected. Carolyn is one of these for me, in both ways.
Kathy McDonald (Sheen)
It’s amazing what memories we have of different friends. I knew Carolyn Adams in Elementary school - Uintah. We had a rather cruel and hopefully archaic way of picking teams for P.E. Two people stood up and picked teams. Girls played girls but the sad thing was Carolyn was always chosen last. I never really got it until I became a teacher. I don’t remember her wearing make-up but I do remember her being teased a lot. One day in 5th grade, our teacher Mr. Baker left the room and kids were laughing and pointing at Carolyn. Her dress was unbuttoned in the back. I surprised myself and found me walking to the back of the room (desks were screwed to the floor), and walked up the next row and slid in behind her and buttoned her dress. She whispered ‘thank you’” as if I saved her life. As I was walking the long way back, my thoughts betrayed me. I thought, “Oh no, now they will tease me,’ but not a word was spoken. I told this to my classes each year. I’d like to say we became friends but it was at the end of the year and we weren’t in the same class in 6th grade and went to different junior highs. I wonder if she married, if she had grandchildren, if her emotional wounds ever healed.wounds healed. One thing that my students knew I would not allow was teasing in my classroom. It was my attempt to say, Carolyn, “I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you more.”
Rebecca Sue Rowland (Hines)
The last time I saw Carolyn was approximately 1970, 1971. She had just married a fellow who was quite a bit older than she. They both were shopping and stopped by at my dad's shop LaGalerie on 1st South in downtown Salt Lake. We had a brief and pleasant conversation. I remember exactly what she was wearing - all dark navy blue - a finely tailored dress and overcoat. She wore a hat with a wide net veil over her eyes. Beyond grown up and classy!