Carolyn's Life Story

by her loving family

Carolyn Davis

Nov 5, 1935 - Dec 3, 2025

Carolyn was born Martha Carolyn Pearce on November 5, 1935, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

As a young girl, Carolyn moved to Toledo Ohio with her family where she graduated from Scott High School. She went on to earn a degree in chemistry from the University of Toledo and later was awarded a Masters Degree in Chemistry at the University of Buffalo, a very significant accomplishment for a woman at that time. For all of her life, Carolyn thought of herself as a scientist.

Carolyn met her husband, Marvin when she was 16 at their church youth group. They married in 1957. Carolyn and Marvin enjoyed 66 years of marriage. Marvin passed away in 2023.

Carolyn believed her greatest accomplishment was raising her children to be self-sufficient and compassionate. She instilled them with a strong moral compass and a commitment to make the world a better place. She and Marvin valued family above all else and were very devoted and loving parents. Their greatest pleasure was the frequent visits with their close knit family. Nothing pleased Carolyn more than knowing her family never stopped wanting to spend time with her.

Carolyn and Marvin were active members of the First Parish in Framingham Unitarian Universalist Church and the Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society of Westborough. She founded "Pies on the Common", a long-running fundraiser for First Parish that became a major town-wide event for almost 30 years. They formed lifelong friendships with several families in the church with whom they participated in many shared events over the years.

Carolyn was a feminist of the 70's and was active in the fight for women's rights. She played a notable role as President of the Framingham chapter of the League of Women Voters during this period. Following this, she had a successful career as an Association Manager for the visiting nurses' association (MACHA) and the state plumbers association (MAPHCC).

Carolyn and Marvin loved to travel. They started camping around the country when their children were young. They continued their travels, visiting several different countries throughout their lives. Most memorable was a two week trip to Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary with their entire family.

One of her greatest loves was Martha's Vineyard. She discovered the Island during a Girl Scout trip with her oldest daughter Linda. This led to many camping trips on the Vineyard, and eventually, they bought a home there that they loved dearly. She was thrilled when they sold the camper and settled on the Vineyard for vacations and retirement. She never found a beach she didn't love and instilled that same love of the beach in her children. Many cherished memories were created when the family gathered together at their home in Oak Bluffs.

Carolyn was a talented pianist. She played first clarinet in her high school band. She ensured music was an ongoing part of her children's lives; many Christmas carols were sung around her piano. Later on, she played in the bell choir at Plymouth church in Framingham.

Carolyn had many hobbies. She was passionate about sewing, knitting, needlepoint and counted cross stitch. She took up quilting when she retired and many of her friends and family cherish her gifted, beautiful quilts.

She was particularly fond of growing roses, something she learned from her father. She found her rose gardens to be very rewarding. Her garden was a must see for anyone on their neighborhood walk in their retirement community (Walker Meadow, Westborough). Carolyn made it a point to watch the Rose Parade every year; she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she and Ann attended the parade in Pasadena. She also enjoyed puzzles and could be seen doing the NY Times crossword puzzle to the end - in ink!

Carolyn was a huge sports fan. She and Marvin regularly went to the college basketball games while dating. They made many trips to Celtics games with Gary and Shelley and cheered for the Red Sox during their championship runs.

Carolyn spent the last years of her life living comfortably at Whitney Place in Northborough. She was loved and well cared for by her family.

Carolyn and Marvin had three children, Linda (deceased), Gary (Shelley) Davis, and Ann Davis. She is also survived by: son-in-law Richard Thomson; granddaughter Heather (Michael) Douglass and their two children, Winston and August; brother-in-law Daniel(Lin) Davis.

All services are private, for her family.  Arrangements are under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532.  To leave an online condolence for her family to read, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.