Carol Lavona O'Brien Mead

Carol Lavona O'Brien Mead Carol Lavona O'Brien Mead passed away peacefully Palm Sunday morning, April 9, 2017, with her daughter and her husband at her side. She was 91 years and four months of age. Carol was born December 9,1925, in the small Wasco County town of Dufur, the youngest of seven children born to Edith Evelyn Moore and Richard Ferris O'Brien. As a recent episode of O.P.B.'s "Oregon Field Guide" very succinctly points out, Dufur is a special place, and an ideal environment in which to grow to adulthood. It is where Carol spent her childhood years, graduating from Dufur High School in 1943. Carol then left Dufur for Eugene and the University of Oregon. She received her Bachelor's degree in Education in 1947, and her Master's degree in Education some years thereafter. At the University, on October 9,1946, she met her husband-to-be, Mel Mead, as he and many others came to the campus after service in branches of the military during World War II. Mel, too, set his sights on a career in public education; and the two were married on August 29, 1947. Five days later, Carol began her first teaching job at Wasco County High School, in the even smaller town of Maupin. Mel's university career marked time while he worked in a small sawmill on the edge of Maupin. Returning to Eugene the next year, Carol continued her career as a classroom teacher, serving schools in Marcola, The Dalles, and Eugene. Both Carol and Mel returned to Eugene for the final time in the fall of 1957, at a time when District 4-J was growing rapidly. During her years as a 4-J teacher, Carol served as a charter faculty member in three new Junior Highs (now called Middle Schools), Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. Following "retirement" in 1976, Carol entered on a long and enjoyable "second career" as a volunteer tutor for adults in E.S.L, (English as a second language.) Most, but not all, of her students were immigrants from Asian countries. This experience proved very satisfying for Carol, leading to many interesting experiences, several very special friendships, and to being named "Volunteer of the Year" for Lane County. Another important involvement for both Carol and Mel has been the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Serving in a number of leadership roies in five congregations of the denomination has been a major source of satisfaction and pleasure for both Carol and Mel. Still another interest for Carol, during retirement years, has been travel. Over these later years, she and Mel have enjoyed visiting all fifty states and twenty-eight countries in Europe, Africa and the Southwest Pacific. Carol is survived by her husband of almost 70 years; by her daughter, Nancy Wolgamott, by a grandson, Corrigan Clay; by four great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, David Mead, and a grandson, Cameron Clay. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 11 a.m. The location will be Northwood Christian Church, 2425 Harvest Lane, Springfield, OR 97477. Memorial contributions may be made to Northwood Christian Church