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Carol died peacefully on Saturday, August 20, 2022, following a severe stroke, at the age of 75. Beloved wife of Bob Garthson. Dear stepmother of Chloe Oliver (Rob Dixon) and Joshua Garthson. Loving sister of Jean Dempsey (David Hutchison) and loving aunt of Amy and Sarah Hutchison. Loving sister-in-law of Jane Garthson (Phil Mills). Everyone in her circle was shocked and deeply saddened by her sudden death.
Carol was highly admired by everyone she worked with, volunteered with or taught. She will be remembered by all as finding great joy in nature, books, libraries, friendship, lifelong learning, cats, good wine, gourmet dining, organic coffee and chocolate, and lots of laughter. She was a very caring woman who could be relied on to calmly and compassionately resolve any crisis and make order out of chaos. Carol was a highly organized person, which enabled her to be a relaxed and gracious hostess and leader. She was incredibly generous, unselfishly giving her knowledge and experience to people and organizations that would better the world, especially in the field of public education.
Bob and Carol had a deep friendship and a loving relationship that kept getting stronger as they shared many wonderful adventures and memories, from intrepid travel to quiet times at home. Every day they read together in companionable silence, often sharing quotations, comments and recommendations. They supported each other through sorrows and challenges. Their highlight every year was time (never quite enough time) at their beloved cottage, relaxing, watching the loons, enjoying Bob’s gourmet meals, and gazing at the stars, often with visiting friends and relatives.
Carol’s roles in life included being recognized as an outstanding teacher and secondary school principal. As CEO of the Alnwick/Haldimand Public Library, she worked tirelessly on branch updates and spearheaded the new Centreton Branch. She served as District 17 OSSTF president, was one of the founders of the Ontario Principals’ Association, and mentored an annual cohort of student teachers.
Carol was buried in the Green Section of Cobourg Union Cemetery surrounded by a few family members and friends. A public Celebration of Life will take place on September 27th, 1:30pm to 3:30pm (1pm arrival) at the Lions Community Centre, 157 Elgin St. E. in Cobourg. A Memorial donation may be made to Nature Conservancy Canada, Doctors Without Borders, Alnwick-Haldimand Libraries, Port Hope Cat Café or an Indigenous-led nonprofit of your choice.
Please keep her in your hearts, laughing and loving as she was in life.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Multiple Sclerosis Society
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Bob and Family: We were privileged to have known Carol and to have had the opportunity to join with family and friends at her Celebration of Life. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Brian and Eve-Ann
Dear Bob and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Carol and I were life long friends and she will be cherished and loved forever. Phil and I send our deepest love to you Bob.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Doctors Without Borders
I was so saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Carol. We both grew up in Oshawa but attended different high schools. However, we both chose Western University in the fall of 1965 and ended up taking a few of the same Latin and Ancient History classes. Our paths then crossed again when we started our teaching careers with the Durham Board. My husband also met Carol through OSSTF and teaching. Our deepest condolences to her family. She was a very kind person.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Carol was the first principal I worked for at DDSB. I remember her kindness and her professionalism. My condolences to her family.
Carol was a good friend and colleague and I will miss her wisdom, humour, and smile. I have fond memories of our times together in education, in OSSTF, and socially. My condolences Bob, Carol was able to see the best in all of us and she will be missed.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Doctors Without Borders
Dear Bob and Family, we wanted to express our condolences on the loss of Carol. Words can't express our heartfelt sorrow. We hope you are finding comfort and strength in each other at such a difficult time. Your are in our thoughts, Janet and Alan
Dear Bob, Josh and Chloe, We were so taken aback (gobsmacked, Carol might say) and saddened to hear of Carol’s passing. We always enjoyed our time with Carol and I, Susan, have been grateful to have had some get-togethers with Carol and Bob that have left me marvelling at how easy and fun it was to be with both of you. I will miss her ready smile and quick sense of humour too. But she will always be a part of us now, as I’m sure she will be for the many people who loved and admired her. Our hearts are with you. Love, Susan and Mark
We are so very sorry for your loss, deepest condolences and much sympathy, Susan & Gary
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Doctors Without Borders
Dear Bob, I am so sorry to hear about your loss, my thoughts are with you. Arlette
Dear Bob and family. I am sorry to learn of Carol passing this will be a big loss to you all. It is many years since I meet Carol, living together in London so long ago. I enjoyed her annual Christmas letter with news keeping me up to date with her life. My Condolence to you all.
Bob, so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your beloved partner. I only met Carol once, but she seemed like a lovely person. Sincere condolences, Tom Shea
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alnwick/Haldimand Public Library 'Centreton Branch'
I was so sorry to hear of Carol's passing. I fondly remember the times I spent with Carol at the Grafton Community Centre and the farm. As a mom of young children at the time, I enjoyed my chats with Carol and welcomed her wonderful perspective on motherhood, raising children and community service. Bob, my deepest condolences to you and your family. Danielle
Dear Bob, It's been a long time since we've seen each other and I'm sorry that the reason for getting in touch is such a sad one. I read in the paper that Carole had died suddenly and Jim and I wish to send our condolences to you and your family. I'm so sorry that your life will change so dramatically and so sadly. Please accept our sincere sympathy. Terry and Jim
So sorry Bob. I didn't know this until now. Much sympathy, Warren
I met Carol in when she came to London, UK the end of the 1960's and came and worked for a year in ICI in the Translations Department where I was already working. We became good friends then and have stayed in touch ever since mainly at Christmas when we would catch up on all our news but occasional emails too. She was a very special person and will be missed by Bob and you all so much. RIP dear Carol. My sincere condolences to Bob and all her family. I will be thinking of you all at her memorial and sending love and prayers. CHRISSY from London, UK.
Bob, Carol was synonymous with the cottage, and we are heartbroken by this loss. Our favourite place in the world shines a little less brightly. We only now are identifying the pleasures that will no longer be a part of our cottage life. No longer can we swim to her on your dock and have a giggle, the strawberry daiquiris that she organized ("organized" because we all knew who made them), her unwavering interest in the well-being of my children and their academic success, her presence at my dining room table...all seem like incredible losses to us. We loved her spark and vitality. Bob, we stand beside you as you navigate this loss. Christine and Adrian
Dear Bob and family. Our sincerest condolences. We so enjoyed sharing dinners with you at Elaina and Greg's. She will be missed and remembered by the many she touched. ?❤️
A look at Carol's pleasant face says it all. She was one of the kindest and pleasant people I know. She always dealt with staff and students in a loving and respectful manner. R.I.P. dear lady. My sincerest condolences to your family and friends.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Doctors Without Borders
Dear Bob, Bob and I were shocked and saddened to learn of Carol's untimely death. We can only imagine the sense of loss you are experiencing. Prince Andrew recently wrote that the queen had said that grief is the price we pay for love. You will know this to be very true.
My sincere condolences to Bob and family. Carol was my principal, mentor and friend. She was an empathetic leader who loved to laugh. Carol will be remembered by all of the educators and students whose lives she touched.
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Ms. Dempsey. I was hoping she would come to the 50th Anniversary of G.L. Roberts this fall. She was my English teacher in the 1970's. She was strict but fair and so easily approachable and trustworthy. May you rest in peace Ms. Dempsey, you made a very positive influence on my life.
We were so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing Bob, and we wish to express our condolences to you and other family members. Reading her obituary we got to know more about Carol’s many outstanding contributions as an educator and a community leader. Her lifelong achievements will live on, and these are memories that you can keep close to your heart.
My sincere condolences to Bob and family. I worked with Carol as part of the teaching staff at G.L. Roberts in the 1970's and we were on the OSSTF negotiating team for two contracts in the 1980's. Carol was an excellent educator and leader. I cannot think of her without remembering her wonderful laugh and sense of humour. She will be remembered by all of the educators and students whose lives she touched. We will cherish these memories.
My sincere condolences on the passing of your dear wife, Bob. I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet her. Keep your memories alive and near to your heart.
We remember Carol as a teaching colleague who radiated positive energy during our years at G.L.Roberts C.V.I. Her laughter was infectious. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Sorry to lose a former colleague. Sincere condolences to the family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Doctors Without Borders
So sorry to hear of Carol's passing. I have many fond memories of teaching with Carol at G.L. Roberts.
As a former employee of the Durham Board of Education I had the privilege of working with Carol on a number of projects in the school where she worked and I can say I never meet a more honest and upright person to work with. Her love for her students was terrific and to her, they always came first. Since retirement for both I would meet her on occasion in a store in Cobourg, and we would reflect on some of out previous encounters and share a good laugh. What a terrific person she was. Rest in peace my friend
I was absolutely shocked to read of Carol's death. She was one of those people who should, I think, live forever: brilliant, kind, a good friend. My condolences to her family and friends.
Bob and family, my sincere condolences in the passing of your beloved wife Carol. She was a powerful, dynamic educator, highly respected and admired by her students, parents and colleagues. She has left a lasting legacy in Durham Secondary Schools!
Carol was a dear friend, admired, cherished and loved. I will miss our conversations.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Doctors Without Borders
I was shocked to hear the news of Carol’s sudden passing. I always enjoyed her lively energy, humour and bold directness. She was a natural leader who achieved so much in life. My heart goes out to her family at their loss.
Dear Bob and family, We are very sorry for your loss. Its never easy to lose someone so close to you. We wish you strength. Anne and Paul
I taught Carol history at Donevan Collegiate. She was an outstanding student & highly regarded by everyone who knew her. I met her several times over the years. She was always engaging. Tom Hodgson