Carolyn Bryan Goodrich died peacefully on May 10, 2024 at StoneRidge in Mystic, CT. She was 90.
Carolyn was born on November 23, 1933 in Washington, DC the only daughter of Mildred Gott Bryan, Esq. and Dr. Ernest Rowlett Bryan, retired Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy.
Carolyn was a lifelong advocate for education. She attended the National Cathedral School and followed in her mother's footsteps, graduating from the Madeira School in McLean, VA in 1952. She graduated Cum Laude from Mount Holyoke College in 1956, with a BA in Psychology. A year later she earned a Masters in Education from Harvard GSE and was a member of Pi Lambda Theta. Later in her career she returned to SCSU to earn a Masters in Library Science.
Carolyn's great passion, besides tennis, Berkshire Hathaway, and her daughter was teaching children. Carolyn started her career teaching first grade at the Happy Hollow School in Wayland, MA. She moved to New York City in 1957 and worked at Heavenly Rest before transitioning to the Spence School where for 30 years, she dedicated herself to teaching first grade and later served as the Lower School Librarian. After retiring from Spence, Carolyn couldn't stay away and returned to work part time at the Episcopal School alongside many of her former colleagues. She is remembered fondly for her skill in inspiring even the most reluctant children into becoming life long readers and book lovers.
Outside of her professional life, Carolyn was an active member of Christ Church in Roxbury, CT, serving as head of the Alter Guild for many years. She found joy in playing tennis, gardening, travel, attending cooking classes at the Roxbury Senior Center, and actively participating in investment and book clubs. She was also a member of the Junior League, the Cosmopolitan Club, and the New York Society Library. Her vibrant personality, quick wit, infectious smile, and one-of-a-kind laugh endeared her to all who knew her.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Katrina Veerman, and son-in-law Mike Warburg, of Stowe, VT and Charlestown, RI. Carolyn's legacy of warmth, kindness, and dedication to education will forever be cherished by those whose lives she touched.
A memorial service to celebrate Carolyn's life will be held at Christ Church, 4 Wellers Bridge Rd, Roxbury, CT, on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local library or to the New York Public Library Children's Program and alternatively to the Alzheimer's Association.