Carol Lynn Reid was born on November 30, 1948 in Stamford, Connecticut to the late Frank and Nancy Reid. She graduated from Rippowam High School in Stamford in 1966 and St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1969. She was a staff nurse at Stamford Hospital before moving to Boston to work as an operating room nurse at New England Baptist Hospital. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College in 1973. For 15 years, Carol practiced clinical nursing and was involved in nursing education at Boston City Hospital and Boston V.A. Medical Center. In 1984, Carol began her most rewarding career working in the Boston Public Schools. She taught Medical Assistance at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury for 31 years, finally retiring in 2015. She was honored with a year-long teaching fellowship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology while inspiring thousands of students during her teaching tenure.
Carol remained an avid learner even after her “promotion” to retirement. She was naturally curious about the world and actively sought any forum where she could learn something new. She especially enjoyed her new role as an Executive Director in the John Maxwell Leadership Training group and was an active member of the New England Regional Black Nurses Association. She remained a faithful member of International Family Church for 34 years and joyfully served in many departmental ministries. For 25 years, Carol loved living in Winchester, Massachusetts and especially cherished volunteering her time and energy with A Better Chance, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides academically talented male scholars of color with expanded educational and career opportunities.
Carol Reid was a bright light in a dark world. Her capacity for love and generosity knew absolutely no limit. She will be tremendously missed by a host of friends, former students, and all who knew her - but none more than her beloved daughter, Dr. Naomi Lawrence-Reid of San Diego, California with whom she traveled across the country, danced all night at concerts, laughed at the slightest of jokes, ate dozens of oysters, and whom she loved with all of her heart. Carol was a shining reflection of God’s love and mercy and her memory will live in our hearts forever.
Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation at the International Family Church located at 99 Concord Street in North Reading, MA 01864 on Saturday, December 15th from 10-11 AM followed by a funeral service at 11 AM. Interment services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Carol's memory to A Better Chance, Inc. http://winchesterabc.org/index.php/donate