Everyone who knew or met our mother Carolyn Jane Richmond could see that she was the sweetest and the most caring, loving, understanding mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, wife, daughter, friend, teacher and human being. Carolyn made everyone feel special and loved. When with her, you always felt that you mattered and were cared for. We hoped that we wouldn’t have to say goodbye so soon but she died peacefully on Saturday, September 26th, 2015 at her home in Manlius.
Carolyn Jane Snyder was born August 17th, 1931. She grew up in West Virginia with her father, Harold K. Snyder, her mother, Audrey Mae Hinerman, her two brothers Harold K. (Gaye) and William Shockey (Marilyn) and her sister, Iris Mae Bisping (Jack). She graduated from West Liberty College and married our father, Reverend Carl C. Richmond on June 14th, 1957.
Carolyn is missed so much by her children, Margaret Catherine Westlake (Paul) and John Kenneth Christian Richmond (Jackie) both of Fayetteville, Rebeccah Johannah Rose Reale (Jim) of Liverpool, Elizabeth Anne Crofut (Stephen) of Eaton, Carl Curtis Richmond (Dezra) of Princeton, New Jersey, and Mary Jane Richmond (Justin) of Trumansburg.
Carolyn’s 11 grandchildren; Autumn (O.G.), Cody (Joann), Amber (Sean), Hannah, Bernadette (Voda), Emily (Tiernan), Will, Tae (Jeff), Fletcher, Lindsay and Kate and 1 great-grandchild, Beck, were all dear to her.
Mom taught 1st grade for over 30 years. She was loved by her students and fellow teachers at Fayetteville Elementary. She was a nurturing educator who made a difference in the lives of her students.
She loved to play the piano and ukulele. Two of her favorite songs were “You Are My Sunshine” and “Because He Lives”.
We will miss laughing and talking and being together. We had no greater champion in our lives than our mother. It’s no wonder to her family why it is so difficult to say goodbye. This is how saying goodbye to our mother went… Bye, love you. Bye mom, love you too… love you. Love you, bye, love you. Love you, bye…until someone had to hang up. Bye mom.
Calling hours will be Thursday, October 1st from 4 – 7 PM, at Fay-Newell Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Rd., Manlius. There will be a service at Christ Church in Manlius on Friday, October 2nd at 11 AM with a reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, be happy and sing You Are My Sunshine to those you love.