Carolyn enjoyed attending the local Community Church, was a member of the square dancing club, and would garden for hours when not taking care of her 3 daughters. She was a natural seamstress and would sew Halloween costumes, matching family portrait outfits, square-dancing outfits and much, much more. Her skill for decorating birthday cakes rivaled professional bakeries and her homemade apple pie will remain a family legacy for generations to come. She lived her life as an animal lover of all kinds and had plenty of cherished pets over the years, most of which were rescues of one kind or another. 

 After raising her 3 daughters, Carolyn joined the Pepperell Senior Center and spent time researching her family history. Genealogy fast became her passion and ultimately connected her to long lost cousins she never knew she had. When Carolyn discovered her lineage could be traced back to the Mayflower, she became a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, hanging her certificate prominently in her home alongside researched family photos. She was especially proud of her Irish heritage and before her passing, took Irish Step Dancing classes. A long time dream came true when she was finally able to travel to Ireland.

For Carolyn, becoming a grandmother to 4 grandsons was the icing on the cake. After raising all girls, she would often tease her grown daughters about wanting a little boy. Nobody could have guessed all her grandchildren would be boys. She loved them all dearly and bragged regularly as a grandmother does about all of their accomplishments to date. While there are holes in the hearts of her family, we are comforted by the knowledge that she did not suffer and was still able to live in her own home which was what she wanted.

Carolyn is survived by: daughter Sarah, son-in-law Norm, grandson Jeremy and grandson Matthew Vigeant; daughter Becky, son-in-law Grover, III and grandson Grover, IV Farwell; daughter Abby South, Darryl Berleth and grandson Zach Wales; ex-husband Robert South; sister Barbara, nephew Troy and nephew Malique Shepherd; niece Danielle Andersen and family; nephew Seth Shepherd and family; grand niece Annie Larsson and family; grand niece Emma Langston and family; and multiple long lost cousins newly discovered. 

 Services and burial at Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain, MA will be private. We ask that you respect the family's privacy as we try to grieve the sudden and unexpected loss of Carolyn. We intend to hold a public Celebration of Life for Carolyn come Spring and will communicate details at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you honor Carolyn's love of animals and make a donation to an Animal Rescue Organization of your choice. Please share any memories or thoughts of Carolyn on this site. May Carolyn rest in peace knowing that she lived a good life and was loved by so many.

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