Carolyn Finnigan Reil passed away peacefully on November 12, 2019, at the age of 78. Born in Washington, D.C. on March 27, 1941, she is predeceased by her husband, Henry G. Reil “Hank;” her mother, Edith Lee Finnigan; her birth father, Milton Kelenson; and her adoptive father, Donald E. Finnigan.

Carolyn graduated Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, Va., in 1951, where she played trumpet and was drum majorette. She earned her B.A. in English from Old Dominion University. Carolyn loved to fly and became a flight attendant for American Airlines.

On September 12, 1964, Carolyn married Hank, at Middlebury Congregational Church, Middlebury, Conn. Soon after their wedding, they transferred with Hank’s position at GE to Slidell, La., where Carolyn worked for Boeing and then for Arnold Clark Inc as secretary to the president of Silly Putty. Relocation then brought them to GE Television in Portsmouth, Va., where they lived alongside the Elizabeth River. There, Carolyn established and owned The Kangaroo’s Pouch children’s clothing store. Future moves brought the family to Quincy, Ill., Redding, Conn., and finally, to settle in Newtown, where they built their dream home. In 1984, Carolyn lost the love of her life, Hank, to cancer. She devoted her life and all her love to raising their three girls and working to support their future through her long career as a production editor with Grolier, now Scholastic.

Carolyn was a dedicated volunteer throughout her life. She was a member and had served on the Board of Directors of the Portsmouth Girls’ Club and Portsmouth Service League, and was appointed to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the City of Portsmouth in the 1970s. Later, she served with the Quincy Service League, Danbury Junior Service League, and the Junior Leagues of Eastern Fairfield County & Palm Beach. She was a longtime member of the Altar Guild at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown.

Carolyn was always a loyal, dedicated friend and family member who would be there for everyone in any time of need. From baking and bringing her delicious Mrs Gentry’s Pound Cake near and far for many occasions and opening her heart to all with her gracious, warm personality — she was a true gem and all that met her loved her beautiful smile and generous spirit. Carolyn loved fine chocolate, sewing, Colonial architecture and design, and had perfect grammar! Her sense of humor was second-to-none!

She is survived by her three daughters, Susan Lorimer Reil Bria (Joseph) of Waxhaw, North Carolina, Anne Ferrier Reil (Adam) of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Elizabeth Chassels Nowinski (Brian) of Arlington, Virginia; her four grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Jamais,” Jackson Leonard Nowinski, Kaitlyn Pearl Nowinski, Joseph Henry Bria, and Patience Lee Bria; and her sisters, Ann Edwards (Rick) and Janet Kelenson Fager (Doug).

A Memorial Service was held Saturday, November 30, 2019, at Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Va.

Carolyn will be laid to rest in 2022, beside her husband Hank, overlooking Rams Pasture in Newtown Village Cemetery, Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Carolyn may be made to The Portsmouth Service League, at pslva.com; or to The Elizabeth River Project of Portsmouth, Virginia, at elizabethriver.org; or to any charity that is near and dear to your heart in her honor.

We will love you always Mommy & Daddy … Ambyth …