Caroline Dorothea Vavra Devlin Barling was born on Christmas Day during the blizzard of 1947 to Grace
Mae Graham Vavra (still with us) and Rudolph Anthony Vavra, Sr., who predeceased her.
Caroline grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with her three siblings, Rudy (Jennifer), Gary (Andrea), and Nancy Lodge (Tom), and many cousins and endless friends. Caroline attended Saint Matthews School and Hastings High School, where her ambitions ranged from nursing to being a mom and homemaker, a role in which she excelled.
Caroline had seven (yes, seven!) children—Dawn Franken (Paul), Eric Devlin (Stephanie), Nicole Pease (Artie), Jason Devlin (Christina), Chrissy Devlin, Tom Rae (Danielle), and Karen Pedersen (Tom)—as well as two step-children, Carl Barling (Kristen) and Lindsey Barling, all of whom survive her.
Caroline married Chuck Devlin and lived up north near the Canadian border in Clayton, New York, before eventually moving to Colonia, New Jersey. After she and Chuck divorced, Caroline met the love of her life, Fred Barling, at a hockey rink (of all places), where their boys played, and together they raised their amazing children, who all embody Caroline’s love of life and carry on her legacy of caring and compassion for others. Her wonderful children gave her 19 grandchildren and one great grandchild, who all brought her great joy. While in New Jersey, Caroline earned her bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from Caldwell College, eventually opening up her own business, and also volunteering as a child advocate. Caroline and Fred moved to Little River, South Carolina, in the latter part of their life’s journey. Caroline imagined the world as one, and if you ever had the chance to call her, John Lennon’s “Imagine” would greet you. That sums up how she lived her life. She passed on to a greater place to be with Freddie and Gramps on December 5, 2019. She passed on with dignity, grace, and a love for all, hoping that we would imagine the “World as One.” Let’s all try to honor her wishes by being kind to one another and care for one another. She would not want it any other way. May peace be with you, Caroline, and inspire the rest of us to put aside our differences, love one another, and truly “Live as One.” Peace to everyone. Caroline xoxo.
A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.
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