Carolyn Joseph passed away of natural causes on February 23, 2023, at the age of 98.  She was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing in the Mary Culver Home for Visually Impaired Women, in Kirkwood near St. Louis, Missouri.

Carolyn was born and raised in Luckey, Ohio.  She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Arthur Joseph and daughter Elizabeth Joseph-Urban.  She is survived by her daughters Karen Robards, Kristine Lebras, sons-in-law Michael O’Neal, Edward Urban, and Paul Lebras.  Her legacy also includes granddaughter Lauren (Robards) Wilson and her husband Christopher Wilson, as well as her great-grandsons, Callen Reynolds and Bennett Reynolds. 

Carolyn felt that one of her greatest accomplishments was her work as a Registered Nurse.  She graduated first in her class in nursing school at Flower Hospital, Toledo, Ohio, in 1945, and went on to work as a district nurse and later worked in a surgeon’s office.  

Her dedication to helping others continued after she left nursing to become a full-time mother.  Always supportive of her daughters, Carolyn was their consummate cheerleader. In addition, she was active I her church, schools and community in both Newark, Delaware and West Chester, Pennsylvania, where she lived for many years.  In West Chester, she held leadership positions in her local Lutheran church, and helped institute the first sex education program in the local public elementary school.  She was also active with the West Chester American Red Cross as well as serving as the president of the local American Field Services (AFS) chapter in West Chester.     

Those who knew Carolyn remember her kindness and warm hospitality.  She enjoyed hosting parties, and the neighborhood Supper Club, as well as dancing, fine dining, and traveling. After moving to Maryland, she loved watching the birds and wildlife from her retirement home along the Elk River and preparing feasts of fresh crab caught off the family’s dock near Elkton, Maryland.  Carolyn always had a warm smile and frozen Margaritas on hand for the visitor.

The family requests that in leu of flowers donations be sent to Macular Degeneration Association AND/OR the Mary Culver Home, Info@maryculverhome.org or mail a check to:

Mary Culver Home

221 West Washington Avenue

Kirkwood, Missouri 63122