Carolyn Moore

Carolyn Moore, 69, of Marion died Monday, Nov. 11, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka. Carolyn (Mary Carolyn Lee) was born Aug. 14, 1944, in Beaumont, Texas, to Samuel Elton and Maybelle Lee.

She was raised in Anahuac, the alligator capital of Texas, and was the highest-ranking girl in her graduating class. Carolyn attended the University of Texas on scholarship to their prestigious “Plan II” honors program, graduating in 1966.

In August 1969, Carolyn married Stephen Moore. The couple moved periodically between Texas and Kansas but felt most at home in Marion, where they raised their three children.

Professionally, Carolyn worked as a secretary for the Marion school district before returning to school herself to earn teaching credentials from Tabor College. She later taught high school English and yearbook classes in Hope, Canton-Galva, and Marion.

In her retirement, Carolyn fostered a love of kayaking and became an authority on the subject of fruitcake, tasting more than 300 varieties. She was an active member of PEO chapters in Marion and Topeka, the Twentieth Century Club, Marion Presbyterian Church, and was a founding member of the Secret Order of the Black Diamond.

She read extensively, wrapped presents crazily, played clarinet, and helped her family and friends selflessly at every opportunity. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend.

Carolyn is survived by her mother, Maybelle; ex-husband, Steve; two sons, Sam of Topeka and Travis of Kansas City; a daughter, Meredith of Lawrence; three granddaughters, Lauren, Madeleine and Nadia of Topeka; and a sister, Nancy Clark.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Marion Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Marion Presbyterian Church Piano Fund, the PEO Program for Continuing Education, and the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.