Carolyn Mair Cady, 89, passed away on April 29, 2026, in Newport News, Virginia. Carolyn was a woman of deep joy and resilience who found delight in the small things in life. She brightened the lives of all who knew her and will be dearly missed.

Born in Fort Collins, Colorado on May 9, 1936 to Andrew Mair and Norma Amus, Carolyn spent her earliest years on farms in the Fort Collins area, before moving to Denver in 1946. She was very close with her beloved younger sister, Peggy. Carolyn learned piano at age 4 and cello at age 9, later proudly making the all-state orchestra. In childhood, she also was active in 4-H and the local Methodist Church youth group.

Carolyn met her husband of 51 years, Ed, at a college church group while attending Colorado State University (CO A&M at the time). The couple’s early years were an adventure that took them from Maryland to Nebraska, where their son Bruce was born, and finally to California where they welcomed their daughter, Sharon, and settled for 35 years. Ed was a dedicated veterinarian, practicing in a small animal hospital they bought together. Later, they built a modern hospital of which they were very proud. Carolyn was deeply involved supporting the family business while also working at various times as a high school and college home/consumer economics teacher, ADP tax research specialist, and Cal Poly instruction support technician. She was an active volunteer, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a leader in her church and professional groups. Carolyn and Ed moved back to Colorado in 2000 for retirement, to be near family, enjoy Colorado mountain views from their backyard, and pursue many traveling adventures. In 2016, Carolyn moved to The Chesapeake Retirement Home in Virginia to be near her daughter’s family.

Carolyn had a passion for capturing treasured memories in pictures and scrapbooks. She was an avid square dancer with Ed and a lifelong lover of music. She enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, especially while visiting family. She stayed closely connected to many relatives and friends, and was especially proud to regularly join extended family for reunions across the country throughout her life.

She was known for her unwavering determination and her ability to build community wherever she lived. She had a gift for organization and persistence, putting it to good use helping manage activities and groups that brought people together. She enjoyed engaging with people and supporting their interests. Throughout her time at The Chesapeake retirement home up until her passing, she was highly active in groups for family history, church, chimes music, grief support, and activity bus excursions, among other things still being discovered by the family.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Andy and Norma; husband of 51 years, Ed; her children, Bruce and Sharon; and her sister, Peggy. She is survived by her grandchildren, Nathan (& wife Erica), Athena, and Luke; and her son-in-law, Alan.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 23, at 2:00 PM at The Chesapeake at 955 Harpersville Road in Newport News, VA. Those wishing to honor Carolyn are welcomed to send flowers to the service or consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in remembrance of Sharon or Donate Life America in remembrance of Bruce.

https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/In-Memory-of–Carolyn-Cady-