Carrol E. (McKay) Stephens, 84, of Andover, passed away on Friday, October 11th, 2024. Born in Medford, she was the beloved daughter of the late Louis J. and Elizabeth M. (Roberts) McKay. Carrol graduated from Lasell University with an associate’s degree in design and later completed the floral design program at Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston. She went on to co-own a flower shop in Andover called Imagine That.
Carrol was the devoted wife of the late Douglas Stephens and a loving mother to Susan Guzmán and her husband Roger of Bolton, Sheryl DeMaine and her husband William of Andover, and the late Scott D. Stephens of Woburn. She was a proud grandmother to Caitlyn Rivas, Ryan Shaughnessy, Connor Shaughnessy, Abigail Throckmorton, Ashley DeMaine, and Lauren DeMaine, and a loving great-grandmother to Avery, Parker, and Eli Rivas; Graham and Hannah Shaughnessy; Mackenzie Shaughnessy; and Ayden and Ayla Mae Crouse. She is also survived by many dear family members and friends.
Carrol’s life was profoundly shaped by the challenges her family faced after her son Scott suffered a traumatic brain injury during high school. Realizing the lack of long-term care for those affected by brain injuries, Carrol and her husband Douglas co-founded Supportive Living Inc. (SLI) in 1991. SLI is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with brain injuries and other neurological disorders through affordable housing, neurorehabilitation, and wellness programs.
Carrol’s love for her family was at the heart of her life. When not with them, she was cheering on Boston sports teams, planning Disney vacations, or enjoying Cribbage games with her son, Scott. A passionate gardener, her home was filled with vibrant flowers, and she delighted in watching the birds visit her feeders and birdhouses.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours at McLaughlin – Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, on Thursday, October 24th, from 3 to 7 PM. A funeral service will be conducted at the Chapel at West Parish, located at 210 Lowell St., Andover on Friday, October 25th, at 10 AM, with burial to follow at West Parish Garden Cemetery.