Carolyn Louise Grove

Carolyn Grove was born on June 27 1931 to Emil and Lillie Ahlstrand, in Culver City California. At a very early age (between 2 and 4), she accepted Jesus as her Savior and she dedicated her whole life to loving and serving Him. At the age of 4, Carolyn began to play the piano. Her love for music had a significant influence on her throughout her life.

After contracting whooping cough at age 2 she had severe asthma which prevented her from going to a regular school. She had a private tutor for awhile, then for most of her elementary school years she attended a school for children with disabilities. When her asthma improved in 7th grade, she attended Culter Academy.

In high school, Carolyn began to play the piano and organ at church, and she also played organ for the Union Gospel Mission in downtown Los Angeles. She began attending BIOLA University at the age of 17; and when she was 18, she played the organ for the BIOLA Hour radio broadcast.

Carolyn graduated from BIOLA with a B.A. in music and then went to Pepperdine College to get her teaching credential. During this time she taught piano and organ both at BIOLA and privately. In 1954, she graduated from Pepperdine with a Bachelor of Music Education, and got a job teaching at an elementary school in Los Angeles.

In September of 1957, Carolyn went to Japan to teach music at the Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) in Tokyo. In 1958, she met Leslie Grove, a Canadian missionary with Japan Evangelical Mission (JEM) at a conference in Karuizawa. Leslie was to sing a solo at one of the meetings and he needed a pianist to accompany him. He asked one of Carolyn’s students to introduce them, and she agreed to accompany him for the solo. Then 13 days (!) later, she agreed to accompany him on a much more significant journey as his wife!

On June 12, 1959, Leslie and Carolyn were married at Tachikawa Air Base in Tokyo. As their life verse, they chose “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). They lived in several places in Japan over the next 17 years, as Leslie planted churches and built church buildings. All three of their children, Larry, Marilyn, and Lisa were born in Japan.

On furloughs, they lived in California, but also travelled around several states and Canadian provinces to visit supporters. Carolyn taught music at Culter Academy on their furlough in 1962, and on subsequent furloughs, she taught music at Valley Christian School in San Jose, California, where Larry, Marilyn and Lisa attended.

Carolyn taught music classes at Japan Sea View School, the school for children of missionary families with JEM. Then during their last three years in Japan, she and Leslie became the house parents at the hostel (many of the families lived far away and their children boarded at the hostel during the week). The first year, there were 17 children in the hostel, including Larry, Marilyn and Lisa, and by the third year, there were 23 children! It was a constantly lively home. Carolyn continued to teach music at JSVS during this time as well as supervising the music lessons and practice of all the children in the hostel.

In 1975, after 17 years in Japan, the Grove family moved from Japan to São Paulo, Brasil, to work with some of the many Japanese churches there. Carolyn developed a music program at Pan American Christian Academy, where Larry, Marilyn and Lisa attended school. She taught music classes, directed the orchestra, had a handbell choir, singing choirs and directed many very successful music programs, as well as teaching private piano lessons. She was well loved by students and staff alike.

Music was an integral part of the Grove family life, and Carolyn arranged many hymns for the string trio of Larry on cello, and Marilyn and Lisa on violin. She accompanied them on the piano, and Leslie often sang and played guitar. She also played the organ at an American and a Brasilian church.

Carolyn and Leslie continued to live and work in São Paulo until their retirement in 1995, when they moved to Abbotsford, BC, Canada. She taught piano to several of her grandchildren, and also accompanied many of Lisa’s violin students at their recitals. Carolyn played piano whenever and wherever she could.

After retiring, Carolyn and Leslie continued to travel to both Brasil and Japan, working in various churches and helping local pastors. They taught English classes and Carolyn was always able to find piano teaching opportunities, while Leslie continued to plant churches and build. On their trip to Brasil in 2003, Leslie passed away very suddenly. Just the evening before, he had preached on Thessalonians 4:13 “…do not grieve like people who have no hope…” and less than 24 hours later he was in the presence of the Lord. Although Carolyn and the family, were shocked and saddened by his loss, she gracefully accepted it as part of God’s perfect plan.

As Carolyn considered what was next for her life, the Lord continued to guide her steps. In due time, He led her to Art Seely, a retired missionary from Japan whose wife had passed away a few years prior. They were married on January 22, 2005, and at the time of their wedding, their family suddenly grew to 9 children plus 25 grandchildren! Over the next 4 years they took 5 separate trips to Japan, to work with several churches, and teach English. On one of these trips Larry, Marilyn and Lisa were able to visit Japan for the first time in 31 years. This trip brought back many wonderful memories, and new memories were made.

In February of 2012, Art and Carolyn moved to Menno Place in Abbotsford. They made many friends there. In November of 2015, Art, who had been experiencing physical decline for the previous year and a half, passed away. Shortly before his passing, Carolyn again became involved in a music ministry as the piano accompanist for the Hymn Sings at Menno Place. She continued to play piano in this capacity, as well as often playing before lunch time in the dining room. On several occasions, one or more of her children were able to join her and play their instruments.

The Covid years were particularly difficult, but Carolyn weathered this lonely time with grace, faith and gratitude. As her eyesight failed, she gave up driving. The loss of independence was difficult, but again, she accepted it with grace. Though it was hard for her to ask for help, it was also a blessing to those who loved her to be able to help her. She continued to be a blessing those around her, through prayers and encouragement. She enjoyed having visitors, and she prayed daily for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even into her 90s, Carolyn kept very busy, so as she began to decline physically much more quickly in mid 2025, it was not easy to accept the limitations that came with this. However, knowing that God’s way is perfect, her steadfast faith carried her.

Carolyn passed away on the evening of June 1, 2026, just a few weeks shy of her 95th birthday, at Maplewood House in Abbotsford BC, after several weeks of hospital stays and home health care. While those she leaves behind deeply grieve her loss, the knowledge that she can see and hear perfectly again, that she is with Jesus whom she loved and served so faithfully, gives peace and comfort.

Carolyn is survived by her children Larry (Melanie), Marilyn (Michael), and Lisa (Dave), plus 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Carolyn's Memorial Service will be held at Mill Lake Church (33218 Marshall Rd, Abbotsford, BC) on June 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM.