Carolyn Dumont Ferrara, 87, of Westfield, VT passed away peacefully with her son by her side on May 23, 2023. She was born on April 10, 1936, in East Orange, NJ to the late Henry and Virginia Wehrheim. She later took the surname of her beloved stepfather, John (Jack) Dumont. On November 24, 1962, she married John F. Ferrara who predeceased her on October 20, 2017. John and Carolyn were married for nearly 55 years.

After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1957, Carolyn began her over 40-year teaching career in New Jersey and New York. After moving to Vermont with John in 1967, Carolyn taught at Hillside Elementary followed by several years as an itinerant music teacher traveling between North Troy, Troy, Westfield, and Lowell. Those years are remembered fondly by many parents and students who enjoyed the Christmas and Spring plays and concerts which often included Carolyn's original scripts and song lyrics. In 1978, she became a full-time classroom teacher again and proceeded to teach Grade 5 - 8 students in Troy for over 20 years. In later years, Carolyn treasured seeing former students and learning about the latest in their lives. Her family would often hear those conversations begin with "Mrs. Ferrara was my favorite teacher."

After retirement, Carolyn kept busy with many activities. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed participating in her book club. She quenched her desire to travel by visiting Italy, France, England, Iceland, many locations in the US and Canada, and more. Often, she traveled with her good friend Carolyn Lyster. She also accompanied her husband, John, to numerous Korean War reunions around the country and became friends with many veteran's wives.

Carolyn was an active contributor to the Piggery Theater in Quebec, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and the MAC Center for the Arts. Continuing her desire to help children, she also spent several years as a guardian ad litem (GAL).

However, quilting was the hobby that occupied most of Carolyn's time. She began shortly before her retirement, and many family members and friends were beneficiaries of her beautiful quilts, Christmas tree skirts, and table runners. She won ribbons at local competitions, sold her work as a juried artist at the MAC, donated her quilts for fundraising events from Vermont to Maine, and was even recently profiled in a local news article. She always enjoyed learning new techniques and spending time with the ladies of the quilting community at events such as the annual Jay Peak Quilting Retreat.

Carolyn is survived by her son John and his wife Farran, her grandchildren Abby and Evan Ferrara and their mother Kathy, her brother- and sister-in-law Thomas and Nina Ferrara and their families, and her brother John H. Dumont, his wife Beth and family.

In respect to Carolyn's wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. She will be interred at North Hill Cemetery in Westfield, and a celebration of life will be held this summer for family and friends.