Carolyn J. (Gendron) O'Connell

Carolyn J. "Carrie" O'Connell (Gendron) Age 38, of Acton, MA, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 11, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was married for thirteen years to her best friend Christopher G. O'Connell and was a devoted mother to Jenna Beth O'Connell and Carly Paige O'Connell.

Born in Keene, New Hampshire on September 10, 1978, she was the daughter of Ronald N. Gendron and Linda A. (Zimmerman) Gendron. Carrie was raised and educated in South Hadley, MA and graduated from South Hadley High School, Class of 1996, where she was active in the National Honor Society and she enjoyed playing soccer and tennis. Carrie continued her education at UMASS Amherst and graduated in 2000 with a degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering. Chris and Carrie met at UMASS and married on October 25, 2003.

Family was most important to Carrie. She and Chris were always together, along with their daughters Jenna and Carly. Carrie loved to cook for them and to decorate their home. She loved the holidays and always made them special. She enjoyed family walks together around the neighborhood and she cherished skiing and trips to the beach as a family. She looked forward to annual family trips to Hilton Head, SC, "the lake" outside of Montreal and Truro on the Cape. Their trip to Disney last summer will always be cherished. She enjoyed Girl Scouts with Jenna in Maynard and Carly in Acton. In addition to her family, Carrie had a great group of girlfriends that were very important to her. They enjoyed shopping together and girls dinners.

Carrie was first and foremost a wonderful mother and wife and in her spare time worked at STEM Beginnings where she taught children's workshops and coordinated marketing activities. Previously, she worked at Concord Provisions in Concord. Carrie was a Commission Member of the Maynard Conservation Commission for the past several years.

She is survived by her loving husband Chris, her two daughters Jenna and Carly of Acton. Her parents Ronald N. and Linda A. (Zimmerman) Gendron of South Hadley. Her brother Ronald C. and wife Kimberly Gendron of Manchester-by-the Sea, MA. Her sister Amy Beth Cormier and husband Ronald A. of Belchertown, MA. Her grandparents Ronald W. Gendron and Claire C. (Carmel) Gendron of South Hadley. MA. Brother in Law Sean O'Connell and wife Maryl of Redwood City, CA. Sister in law Jennifer O'Connell of Portsmouth, NH. Mother in law Leanne O'Connell of Bluffton, SC. 3 nieces and 4 nephews.

Family and friends will gather to honor Carrie on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Fowler-Kennedy Funeral Home 42 Concord Street, Maynard. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 2:30 PM at Acton Congregational Church 12 Concord Road Acton, MA 01720, reception to follow immediately. Burial will be private.

In memory of Carrie and in loving support to her family, donations may be made to the following: https://www.youcaring.com/chrisoconnell-775609 , Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org) or National Stroke Association (http://www.stroke.org/).