OBIT-Carolyn Sutter Laird, 88, b:IL, dau of Alvar and Frances

BARNSTABLE — Carolyn Sutter Laird, a longtime resident of Barnstable, passed away Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at Oak Terrace Memory Care in Soulsbyville, Calif. She was 88 years old.

Care, as she was known by friends and family, was born in Winnetka, Ill., and resided in Arizona, Ohio, Connecticut and Massachusetts after college and marrying Alexander Laird of Winnetka. She was a graduate of Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Mass., where she had been the president of the Girls Athletic Association, attended Smith College in Northampton, and graduated from the National College of Education (now National-Louis University) in Evanston, Ill., with a degree in education.

In the last years of World War II, Care served in the American Red Cross and was stationed on Maui, Hawaii, with the 4th Marine Division encampment. She continued, over the years, to stay in touch with some of her fellow volunteers.

Care enjoyed her career as a preschool teacher and as a K-9 administrative staffer, primarily at the Renbrook School in West Hartford, Conn. After moving permanently to Barnstable in 1970, she embarked on a successful career in real estate with Oyster Real Estate in Osterville.

An avid golfer and a member of the Wianno Club, Care was also an active member of the Highland Light Scottish Society and the Barnstable Yacht Club. She enjoyed playing bridge weekly with friends and doing the New York Times crossword puzzle on Sundays.

Care was predeceased by her parents, Alvar and Frances, and a sister, Joan Sutter Truesdale, all of Winnetka, Ill.; and by her husband, Alexander Laird of Barnstable. Shortly after her passing in September, her elder son, Robert Stuart Laird, passed away in Apache Junction, Ariz.

She is survived by her youngest son, Angus Stevens Laird of San Andreas, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Mary Courtney Laird of Portland, Ore., Sarah Stevens Laird of Seattle, Wash., and James Alexander Laird of Chandler, Ariz.

A memorial service will be held for Carolyn at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Barnstable.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to humanitarian efforts in your own church or your favorite charity, in memory of Carolyn Sutter Laird.

Published in the Cape Cod Times on 5/16/2010