Carole Doris Dodds

Carole, a beloved mother of two and wife of John Dodds passed away peacefully at her home in Epping Forest, Annapolis, MD on June 6, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents Carroll and Doris Doran and is survived by her husband of 60 years, John Dodds, daughter Lynne Ciepiela (Robert), son Kevin Dodds (Lydia Kachadoorian), and beloved grandchildren Caileigh Roberts (Benjamin), Emily Ciepiela, and Natalie Ciepiela, as well as her great granddaughter Charlotte.

Carole was born in Baltimore City in 1940 to Carroll and Doris Doran. She lived on Homewood Avenue with her parents, aunt, uncle, and cousin until she was 10, when her family relocated to Epping Forest. In Epping, she enjoyed searching the forest for plants to build natural terrariums, spending time at the beach, and adventures on the Severn River in the family’s infamous wooden fishing boat. Epping Forest became her beloved home for the rest of her life.

Carole graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis where she enjoyed choir and played the organ. After graduating high school, she went to work at Anne Arundel General Hospital as a switchboard operator and general assistant, helping out wherever she could in the hospital. Carole then met and married John Dodds and became a devoted wife and wonderful mother to her two children.

Carole was active in her community where she helped organize bake sales, community events, holiday parties, and children’s activities. She was a steadfast supporter of her children and their various activities throughout her life. Carole had a lifelong interest in gardening and especially enjoyed flowering plants. She also had a strong interest in birds and enjoyed keeping all the locals well fed and looked after, even those she would have preferred to see less of at the house. Carole often undertook large embroidery efforts and enjoyed creating gifts for family and friends. Looking out for others was natural to Carole, and this extended beyond the family.

Carole was an amazing grandmother, and her three grandchildren brought her great joy. They spent many summers together crabbing, enjoying the beach and swimming. They used garden grown zucchini to bake too many loaves of zucchini bread that were distributed to friends and family, repeatedly.

Carole loved holidays and any reason to spend time with family and friends. In this spirit, we invite friends and family to a Celebration of Life for Carole on Monday, June 23, 2025 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the Epping Forest Clubhouse, 354 Severn Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, a longstanding charity that Carole supported.