Carolyn Preble Olmstead

Carolyn Preble Olmstead, 90, passed away peacefully on October 20th, 2022 in Suwanee, Georgia.

Carolyn was the third child born to Howard Preble, and Marion (Felch), in Norwalk, Connecticut on December 18th, 1931. Carolyn received the nickname Kit, as she was always under foot like a kitten would be, from a care giver, and that would be her preferred name for life. When Kit was six years old, Howard remarried to Barbara Atwood, a swimming instructor whom he met while working at the YMCA. The marriage added a sister to this family. All during Kit’s childhood, Kit enjoyed sports and hanging out with her brother Alan, sisters Ruth-Ellen and Barbara. The family moved from Connecticut, to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Waterville, Maine, where her dad became the sole proprietor of the Western Auto Store. Kit spoke fondly of her time spent with her father at the Western Auto store and enjoyed the opportunity to wait on customers from an early age.

In high school, Carolyn was stellar in her studies especially math and was the head cheerleader. As fate would have it during her sophomore year, her future husband, Robert (Bob), moved to Waterville from New Brunswick, Canada; where he played football, and then graduated from high school; while living with his Aunt Vi and Uncle Earnest Sutherland. Kit and Bob connected regularly after he enlisted in the military and was deployed in Germany and France. Kit’s passion was to teach physical education and kept fit while attending UConn and by joining the cheerleading squad. Kit’s first roommate at UConn, Joannie became her life-long friend. When her advisor left to run the new woman’s athletic program, Kit and Joannie followed and completed their studies at the University of North Carolina. Kit worked serving tables in Martha’s Vineyard in the summers. After graduation, she took on a full-time physical education teaching position at the Lincoln School, in Providence, Rhode Island, and then on to the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut. In the summer of 1955, Kit took a tour around Europe with her life-long friend. Bob kept up with Kit while in the service and then he sent a telegram to Kit to gain her love when he was at WestPoint. They were married on December 29th, 1956. After discharge from the service, Bob completed his teaching degree, and he and Kit moved from upper Maine to Colorado, on to Long Island and finally settling in Coventry, CT. Bob and Kit both taught and were blessed with four children Marcia (Noel Miller), Barbara (John Stommel), Bruce (Karen Kapp), Mark (Sharon Howell). Kit moved on from teaching to raising the family, volunteering for the First Congregational Church of Coventry, led the Sunset Pledgers in 4-H, worked as a substitute teacher, and completed her Masters of Teaching at her original alma mater UConn. Kit encouraged her children to learn it all; band, soccer, tennis, and even golf. As the kids were moving out, Kit worked for several years at UConn Admissions Office before retiring with Bob. Kit and Bob, spent their early retirement caring for Aunt Vi during the summers in Canada. For nearly twenty years Kit and Bob were snow birds. They lived in Mount Dora, Florida in the winter, and New Brunswick, Canada in the summer. Kit and Bob both loved hosting spaghetti suppers in Canada, teaching art in Maine, teaching and playing in the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club, and members in the Methodist and Congregational Church. Bob passed in 2014 and Kit continued to live in Mount Dora before moving to Suwanee, Georgia in 2020; being closer to family for additional support.

She is survived by her sister Barbara, her four children, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

Kit will be laid to rest on November 4th next to her husband, Robert Earl Olmstead, US Army Air Corps, at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Massachusetts. A private Celebration of Life service for Kit will be held graveside.

Please join us in celebrating her life. Donations can be made to the Dementia Society of America at: Donate | Dementia Society of America.