Carol L. Gauntlett

After a full life of 96 years, Carol Lynn Leonard Gauntlett passed away September 8, 2026 at Charter Senior Living in Pikesville, Maryland. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lester C. Leonard and Edna May Birchall, her brother, Lester, Jr, “Joey”, her cherished sister-in-law, Madolyn Leonard, and her beloved cats, Coco, Grey, O. Henry, and Rascal. She was divorced from the late John Henry Gauntlett. She is survived by her only child, Carol B. Gauntlett, who was her caretaker and advocate for many years.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Carol became a skilled athlete in her youth, competing in tennis and swimming and well-known for her playful sense of humor. Along with her stuffed rabbit, Measles, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Sargent College, Boston University and later, a Master’s degree in Education from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Carol spent thirty years as an educator in physical education, primarily in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she lived for over half a century. She was especially proud to have supported public-school desegregation during the civil rights movement in New Jersey, then helped mainstream classes for the developmentally disabled in Maryland. After her retirement from teaching in 1985, she and a partner opened and ran an antiques and collectible shop in Alexandria, Virginia for several years.

Carol loved making new friends of all ages, whom she saw often and stayed in contact with for decades. But even her closest friends would agree that her love of animals, especially cats, was a great passion throughout her life. As a young teacher, she drove her MG sports car to school with a box full of kittens to give away, and in her retirement, she stayed busy as a professional catsitter, known and trusted throughout the DC area.

The family will receive guest at Burgess-Henss-Seitz Funeral Home, 3631 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 2 to 3pm. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 3 pm on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at. All who knew her are welcome to attend and are invited to share their special memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Maryland SPCA, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211 or to the Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.