Carolyn Carter Zander

Carolyn Carter Zander, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Carolyn was born October 2, 1941, in Magdalene, Florida and adopted in infancy by William and Elizabeth Carter. She grew up in Jacksonville, an area she loved and returned to throughout her life. Upon graduation from high school, Carolyn attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, but discontinued her formal education when her mother passed away prior to the start of her junior year. Carolyn left school, went to work as a stewardess for Delta Airlines, and was assigned to New Orleans as her home base. Soon after moving to New Orleans, Carolyn met her former spouse, Tommy Zander, with whom she raised her son Scott. Carolyn worked from time to time as a substitute teacher, but was mainly a loving and attentive stay-at-home mom – which was especially important given that Tommy’s career as an airline pilot often required him to be away from home for days at a time. An otherwise awesome mom, Carolyn was a bit challenged in the kitchen, and she and Scott loved to eat at Camellia Grill and such ain’t-dere-no-mores as Maple Hill, Campagno’s, and, especially, Wise Cafeteria. Once her son left New Orleans for college, Carolyn (and her all-time favorite dog, Krumpi) moved back to Florida to continue the college education she had suspended some 20 years prior – first at FSU in Tallahassee and then back in her hometown of Jacksonville where she graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Social Work. Carolyn was a case manager for years in the Jacksonville area before moving back to New Orleans where she eventually retired, lived with her new puppies Buddy and Lucy, and was close to Scott and his family. Carolyn stayed busy in retirement. She attended dances weekly for years and cut a fabulous Charleston, among many other styles. Always a talented, self-taught artist, Carolyn painted beautiful watercolors as well as working in oils, pen and pencil, and other media. She also volunteered, most recently at the Aden Program at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church. Carolyn was warm, funny, and gregarious. Her home was always welcome to all. When Scott was growing up, the house was constantly filled with his friends – more than a few of whom still think of Carolyn as a second mother to them. Carolyn loved dogs, dancing, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, college and pro football, and summers in Fernandina Beach, Florida. She dearly loved her son Scott, his wife Camille, and, more than anyone and anything, her granddaughter Ava (who knew her as Nana). Carolyn is pre-deceased by her parents. She is survived by Scott, Camille, Ava, and her close cousins Kathy, Karen, Terry, Doug, and Janie. Carolyn will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Special thanks to Dr. Jay St. John and all of Carolyn’s caregivers at Covenant Nursing Home. In accordance with her wishes, Carolyn’s family will gather and celebrate her life at her beloved Fernandina Beach at a future date.