Carol Reed Hamilton, born in Baltimore, MD on November 20, 1938, passed away peacefully in Cromwell, CT on August 31, 2025, at the age of 86. She was a lifelong proud Baltimorean and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many.

Carol graduated from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, where she met the love of her life, Bruce Hamilton. They married in December 1959 and shortly set off on an adventure to Benicia, CA where Bruce was stationed in the Army. After three years in California and welcoming son Scott to their family, Bruce left the Army and they headed to Hartford, Connecticut where daughter Karen was born. In 1970 the family moved from Hartford to West Hartford, where they lived for 40 years. In 2010 Bruce and Carol relocated to Cromwell, CT to enjoy life at Covenant Living of Cromwell, a lovely retirement community.

During Carol’s life she held many roles. Her first career was middle school teacher, both in Maryland and California. After having her own children, she spent years excelling at mothering as her full time career. Carol was involved in many aspects of her children’s lives - church school teacher, Scout leader, school volunteer, sports team spectator, and baker of an endless supply of cookies and brownies for every occasion. With children off to college and beyond, she spent several years working as an administrative assistant for the State of Connecticut Legislature, a position in which she took great pride and enjoyed until her retirement.

Carol was a devoted volunteer and shared her time, talents, and energy with several organizations she cared deeply about. She was a very active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford where she served in leadership positions as an Elder, a Trustee, and a Stephen Minister. For years, she taught church school and was always pleased to greet countless young adults who came back to Westminster with fond memories of Mrs. Hamilton. She was an active volunteer with Girl Scouts of the USA, both as a troop leader and a regional leader trainer. She delivered Meals on Wheels, distributed food through Connecticut Foodshare, tutored adults seeking US Citizenship, and gave her time in countless other ways. She was very involved with the League of Women Voters, most notably as a volunteer and then employed to direct the tour guide program at the Connecticut State Capitol. In later years she volunteered as an election monitor both in West Hartford and Cromwell. In retirement she revisited her roots as a teacher and her interest in history by spending time as a colonial interpreter at the Noah Webster House museum in West Hartford. After moving to Cromwell she continued her volunteer service at Covenant Living, in the Cromwell community, and at the Congregational Church of South Glastonbury, finding many ways to share her smiles, listening ears, and organizational skills. Carol remained a proud alumna of Gettysburg College and was her class correspondent for years, maintaining an active connection to the college and to many classmates throughout her life.

Carol was an accomplished and gracious hostess. Her house was truly a home where everyone was welcome. The doors were opened to a visually impaired senior citizen who lived with the family for many years, to several international exchange students, and to countless of her children’s friends for long or short stays. She was a part of several dinner groups, hosted neighborhood ice cream socials, and was always quick to offer last-minute dinner invitations to anyone she encountered. She was a wonderful cook who made sure that the cookie jar, pantry, and freezer were always full. Nothing made her happier than a house full of guests to feed. Carol also had a great love of children and was a surrogate grandmother to many youngsters. When two granddaughters entered her family, she delighted in her most beloved role of Nana.

Carol, an only child, had a small family but one she loved dearly. She was predeceased by her parents, Morgan and Charlotte Elizabeth (Betty) Reed. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bruce Hamilton of Cromwell, CT, and her children Scott Hamilton of York, PA, Karen Hammond and son-in-law Greg Hammond of West Hartford, CT, as well as her two granddaughters, Kelsey Hammond of Atlanta, GA, and Lindsey Hammond of Chicago, IL, who were her pride and joy. Carol will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by many whose lives she touched.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 am on October 13, 2025 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, CT. The family suggests that those wishing to honor Carol consider making a donation to Connecticut Foodshare (https://donate.ctfoodshare.or… or PO Box 150430 Hartford, CT 06115-9901) or the Noah Webster House (https://noahwebsterhouse.org/… or 227 South Main St. West Hartford CT, 06107).

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