Carolyn Atwood Van Laanen

Carolyn Atwood Van Laanen was born on April 23, 1930 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Her parents were Ruth Beaumont Troup and Dr. Ralph Leslie Troup.  She received a BA degree from Lawrence University and an MA degree from the University of Missouri.  She enjoyed a career in teaching at the elementary and secondary levels, but spent the majority of her child-rearing years at home as a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker.

Survivors include her husband Dolph Van Laanen, sons Todd Atwood and his wife Carol, Nathan Atwood and his wife Helen, 13 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her son Wayne, and brothers Richard and Thomas Troup.  She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, the Ponte Vedra Club, and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.  An active community volunteer, Carolyn felt her life was blessed with a loving husband, family, and many dear friends.

Those who knew and loved Carolyn are grateful for her life and the way in which she lived it.  Her warmth, love, generosity, humor, sense of duty, grace, unselfishness, and dignity were exceptional.  She was brightly alive with her keen mind and was known as a great friend.   Her character qualities were no more evident than in the final season of her life wherein she bravely faced a difficult disease and decline in health.  Her life will be greatly celebrated and she will be dearly missed.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Mayo Clinic Foundation and the Cypress Village Scholarship Fund.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Ponte Vedra on Tuesday, April 6, at 2:00 PM.  Burial will be in Green Bay, Wisconsin.