Carol Johanson MacElwee

Carol MacElwee, a resident of Essex since 1994, and of Essex Meadows, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, February 23rd. She is survived by her son John, and her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Bill Jones, all of Essex. She is also survived by her grandson, a 1st Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina. She is pre-deceased by her husband Jack and her son Douglas. Dedicated to family, friends, and community, Carol lived a life filled with making connections

and helping others. She was motivated to make a difference.

Born in Los Angeles, Carol grew up in San Francisco and spent her high school years in Beverly Hills. She attended Beverly Hills High School, where she worked on the school paper. She studied at Stanford University, where she made lifelong friends, and the University of California at Berkeley, earning a journalism degree. After graduation, Carol lived with friends in San Francisco. At a mixer at her rooming house, Carol spotted Jack MacElwee across the room and made her way over. They married at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral, with a reception at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. The following year, their son, John, was born followed two years later by a daughter, Elizabeth. The family moved East to Norwalk, Connecticut where Jack had more career opportunities in his

point-of-sale advertising field. A third child, Douglas, was born four years later. While Jack commuted into New York City, Carol’s career path began to take shape as she started volunteering with the League of Women Voters. As Chairman of the Norwalk Alliance for

Voters, she arranged for civil rights leader James Meredith to assist in a voter drive. She later took a job as Career Development Coordinator for Head Start, the federal program conceived as

part of the effort to break the cycle of poverty through free pre-school education. Carol coached the students’ mothers as they completed their high school education, with some moving on to

college. Carol eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance and School Psychology from Fairfield University. The following year, she became a Project Director of Infoline of Southwestern Connecticut, one of the state’s Infolines dedicated to information and referrals to health and human service resources. Under her tenure, calls increased dramatically.separate Infolines were consolidated under United Way of Connecticut, and Carol was hired

as Executive Director, later becoming President and CEO. United Way of Connecticut blossomed under Carol, turning into a multifaceted organization, including programs such as

“Birth to Three” and specialized “Child Care Infoline,” which was funded by corporations and private donations after the Social Services Block Grant was curtailed in the early 1980s.

Over the 24 years she headed the organization, Carol fostered relationships with government agencies and United Ways throughout the state, mentored a growing staff, and made Infoline the first statewide 211 system in the country.

Carol continued the effort by getting the Federal Communications Commission to designate 211 as a national number for information and referrals. The number was established in 2000 and

continues to this day. When she retired in February 2002, Former Governor John Rowland declared the day as “Carol

MacElwee Day” in honor of her work. Carol and Jack had discovered Essex on one of their many bike rides. They relocated in 1994 and enjoyed sailing their Pearson 28 out of the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club, and continued to be active with camping and biking. Their grandson, Banning, spent summers with them to attend the Pettipaug Sailing Academy.

In retirement, Carol continued to serve, with active participation as a board member of the Essex Land Trust. She was in charge of membership and organized the Trust’s 40th anniversary. She

served on the board of The Ivoryton Playhouse. She also volunteered for The Essex Historical Society and SCORE, which provides guidance to businesses. Upon moving to Essex Meadows with Jack, Carol continued to be active developing programs

for those, like her, with low vision: scenic bus tours to nearby locales and golf-carts rides around the Meadows property. She also served on the Residents’ Council.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Essex Meadows on Tuesday March 10th at 4:00pm. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, friends can make a donation to either The Essex Land Trust:

https://essexlandtrust.org; The Essex Historical Society: https://essexhistory.org; The Ivoryton

Playhouse: https://ivorytonplayhouse.org.