Carolyn Marie Chandler

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Carolyn Marie Chandler, 79, in the early hours of Oct. 16. A former resident of Deland, Carolyn had recently moved to Oklahoma to be closer to her daughter.

Carolyn leaves behind three children, Brenda Pennetti (Michael) Christine Garcia (Vince Pfeiffer) and Michael Garcia (Steffanie); four grandchildren, Amber Keith (Sean), Rachel Klubeck, and Jordan and Jake Garcia; and two great grandchildren.

Her sister, Georganna Chevreuil, is a resident of Deland. Her brother Bob Myers (Pat) lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. She also had several nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was an independent, resourceful, and creative soul who had a hearty laugh and gave great hugs. She was a fantastic cook and an excellent seamstress, two life skills she passed on to her daughters. Carolyn embraced technology and learned to text because one of her granddaughters had gone away to college. We will all miss the “good morning, I love you” texts. She owned an impressive tool box that served her well when she needed to put together furniture for her apartment.

Art was Carolyn’s personal passion and her love for sketching and oil painting would stay with her through life. As a single mom, she enrolled in art classes and graduated with a commercial art degree, she managed an art supply company in Las Vegas, entered art shows, and loved being a part of the art community. She was an avid reader and loved road trips and taking photos, many of which would become subjects for her paintings.

Until moving to Oklahoma, Carolyn lived at Hugh Ash Manor and made many friends over her dozen years there. There were always activities in the building like decorating your apartment door for holidays and potluck dinners as get togethers. As part of the activities in the building, Carolyn gave weekly art classes for fellow residents who shared her love of art. Living in Deland gave Carolyn time to spend with her sister Georganna, whether it was catching dinner and a movie or going to a park to enjoy outdoor time.

Carolyn’s last road trip was moving to Oklahoma, and she insisted on riding in the moving truck driven by her son, Michael as opposed to flying. “If you fly, you miss seeing the country.” It ultimately was a gift for both, time with her son and memories he will forever cherish.

Carolyn was not one to take compliments easily, so in true fashion she has requested no formal service or memorial. Carolyn always cared about those less fortunate, so If you’d like to make a donation in her memory, please visit https://www.feedingflorida.org/taking-action/donate