SCARBOROUGH- Carolyn Giles Tilburg, age 84, passed away on November 22, 2024, in her home in Scarborough, Maine.
Carolyn was born on August 3, 1940, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the daughter of Dorothy and Carl Giles. After graduating from C. E. Byrd High School, she attended Centenary College and then Northwestern State University, graduating with a degree in Education with concentrations in English and Mathematics. In 1968, she married the love of her life, James H. Tilburg, and the two immediately set off on an adventure that would continue for almost 50 years. Accompanying her husband all over the world, Carolyn taught middle and high school English and Math to hundreds of students. She lived in Louisiana, Florida (a few different times), Maryland, Colorado, New Jersey, Iraq, Indonesia, Texas, Pakistan, Taiwan, Egypt, New York, and Maine. She survived an outbreak of war in Iraq, a helicopter evacuation from Indonesia, and countless other adventures. She bought and sold many houses but always created a home for her five kids: Jim, Linda, Tim, Kimberly, and Charles. She eventually began a second career as a quilt shop owner in Naples, NY, before retiring for good to Florida and then Maine. She loved spending time with her family and was always up for an escapade, whether that was a safari in Kenya, a trip to the bazaars of India, or a journey through the jungles of the Philippines!
Carolyn is predeceased by her brother - Hank, her husband - Jim, and her son - Jim. She is survived by her daughter - Linda, her son - Tim, her daughter - Kimberly, and her son - Charles, as well as 12 grandchildren – Logan, Brynn, Haley, Hannah, Samantha, Tylor, Shawn, Derrick, Savannah, Joey, Justin, and Shane. We will miss her dearly.
There will be a memorial service for Carolyn at St. Simons Episcopal Church at 28 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548 on January 5, 2024 at 1:00 PM. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Flying Needles Quilt Guild, 819 Holbrook Circle, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com