Carolyn Christensen, world-class debater
Carolyn Christensen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at her cottage in Cadbury at Lewes surrounded by loved ones. She had been fighting dementia for several years. She will be dearly missed.
Carolyn was an amazingly creative individual - someone who was always reading and learning, always growing and developing, always conversing and interacting, always writing and expressing, and always giving and sharing. Carolyn ‘fully engaged’ in life. She was someone who smiled easily, laughed freely and danced readily. In fact, Carolyn and Curt quickly became known as “the dancers” in their new community of Cadbury. Carolyn was also a gracious host. Over the years, she and Curt hosted many friends and acquaintances in their home for meals distinguished by delicious food and stimulating conversation. Often, following Curt’s annual gospel concerts in Colesville, Md., as many as 20 to 30 friends might show up!
Born in Winfred, S.D., Carolyn graduated from Rapid City High School before attending Huron College where she participated in school plays and competed at the national level as a member of the debate team. She graduated magna cum laude. After marrying Curt in 1960, Carolyn embarked upon a teaching career in English and debate that spanned four decades and took her to places like St. Paul Park (Minn.), Camp Zama (Japan), the University of Maryland (College Park, Md.), Jakarta (Indonesia) and New Delhi (India). Having been such a very successful debater in high school and college, it was only fitting that one of the last classes she taught before retirement was Model United Nations at the International School in New Delhi. As part of that class she took students to Manila, Philippines and Beijing, China.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; and a younger brother, Kenneth Bird. She is survived by her husband, Curt; three children: Cade (Sandi) Christensen, Cord (Angelika) Christensen, and Catherine (Milton) Wright; a sister, Susan Lynn; five grandchildren, Nikki, Elizabeth, Milton, Zion and Cedar; two great-grandchildren, Deanna and Caleb; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests supporting the Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, the Colesville United Methodist Church, 52 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904, or the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, P. O. Box 625, Georgetown, DE 19947.
A memorial service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, Friday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m., and a service at Colesville United Methodist Church, 52 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, Md., Saturday, Dec. 6th at 11 a.m. The family will be available at 10 a.m. before both services to receive friends and neighbors.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Carolyn's Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parasellfuneralhomes.com.
