Carolyn Louise Erisman Gabrielson was born August 12, 1924, in Huntersville, NC, the daughter of Harry Hershey Erisman and Isla Henderson Erisman. She died peacefully September 13, 2024 – one month and one day after celebrating her 100th birthday. During her lifetime, she saw an amazing array of technological and medical advances. Carolyn managed her way through them all with dignity, grace, and aplomb. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 65 years Russell J. Gabrielson, and her half-sister Mabel Brown McDevitt.
Carolyn was raised in Philadelphia, PA, and spent most of her summers with family in North Carolina. After graduating from Temple University Business School, she moved to Greensboro, NC, where she worked for a law firm. While there, she met an engineering salesman from St. Louis, MO, – Russ Gabrielson. They were married at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Huntersville, NC, and shortly after moved to Lexington, NC, to open a business, join First Presbyterian Church, and start a family. She was a wonderful cook and an avid reader. She was a 50-year member of the Colonial Dames of America. She was involved with the Herb Guild of Lexington and an active member of First Presbyterian Church for many years.
She is survived by her children: Ann Gabrielson, Rusty Gabrielson, and Jane Mikol (Edward). As well as her cousin Dixie Howard, who is as close as a sister to her.
The family wishes to sincerely thank all those at Oak Bridge Terrace who took such incredible care of Carolyn during her time in Assisted Living and to the kind and loving folks with Via Health Partners (hospice) who also took a loving, kind, and generous approach to Carolyn’s final destination.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
The family respectfully requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to the Music Fund at First Presbyterian Church, Lexington, NC, the Music Fund at Sardis Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC, or the Library Fund at Matthews Glen Retirement Community, Matthews, NC.
