Meredith, NH---- Anna Carolyn Detz Parsons, 93, passed from this life to join the choir invisible on August 02, 2018 with her son by her side, at the Peabody Home in Franklin, NH.
Carolyn was born in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Lewis May and Mildred (Swab) Detz of Springfield, PA.
Attending Penn State University, of which, she always spoke fondly, Carolyn graduated with a B.S. degree in Music Education in 1944. She met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Parsons while at Penn State, and they were married in June 1947. Carolyn participated in class reunions when possible with her husband and more recently her son. After moving to Massachusetts, she earned a Master's degree from Fitchburg State by attending continuing education courses.
Her first teaching position was as Music Director at New Bloomfield High School; following this she then worked for a year as a library clerk at the University of Maine. Carolyn and her husband moved to Massachusetts; living in Dedham, then Norwood and eventually settling in Westwood where they spent 37 years. Along with raising their two children, Carolyn continued her career; 7 years at the Westwood, MA Public Library; 4 years as a substitute school teacher in the Westwood Public Schools; and 20 years as a Librarian / Media Specialist at the Pine Hill Elementary School. While at Pine Hill, she introduced her students to the Apple logo programming language on some of the very first personal computers. Carolyn was also elected a Board member of the Westwood Public Library and participated in the planning for the future expansion of the library.
While working, she spent weekends at their New Hampshire home, ‘Wispy Pines’, along the shores of the Kona Farm Estate on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough. Upon retiring in 1988, Carolyn and Bob moved to the lake to start their second life. Family and friends, both new and old, enjoyed card games, swimming, sailing, water skiing, barbecues, treats, from her Pennsylvania Dutch background, like shoo-fly pie, Hamburg soup, and apple dumplings. Then, there was the long-standing family tradition of Penn State football and watching the Blue Band on Saturday afternoons in the fall.
Carolyn had a big heart and a smile to match. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed. Devoted to her husband and children, she also made time for a career as librarian and teacher, honored commitments to extended family and friends, and kept an immaculate home. She enjoyed painting, gardening, and was an avid reader who often gifted books to friends and the library. The families Labrador Retrievers were her staunch companions whom she always made room for; whether around the house, on a trip or in her life. One of her later volunteer efforts was to serve as Vice President on the Executive Board of West Wynde Retirement Community in Moultonborough, NH.
She explored her profound love for music and travel by pursuing both throughout her adult life. She played a variety of instruments including piano, French horn, and the violin. She was a member of the Penn State Chapel Choir in college and was always a member of her church choirs including Springfield, PA and the 1st Baptist Church in Westwood, MA. As an active member of the Moultonborough United Methodist Church, Carolyn sang in the traditional choir, played in the Bell Choir, was a chairperson of the music committee and participated in the outreach program, ladies brunch, church suppers and spirit rides. Carolyn sang with the Nashua Choral Society, the Monadnock, and New Hampshire Music Festival choruses, and lastly with the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus, which allowed her and her husband the opportunity to travel the world doing what they loved.
Carolyn is survived by her son, John Decatur Parsons of Virginia, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces, and great-grand-nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 55 years, Robert Decatur Parsons, a daughter, Anne Pine Parsons, and a brother Lewis Henry Detz.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus, P.O. Box 2257 Campton, NH. 03223.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Peabody Home for their wonderful care of Carolyn during her stay with them.
There will be no calling hours or memorial service.
A graveside service for family and friends will be held in the summer of 2019 at the Central Cemetery in Rye, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.