Our Mom, grandmother and wonderful friend to many left us too soon on March 2, 2018 from complications of a stroke. Carolyn Francis Staub was born June 13, 1940 in Bayside, New York. An only child, her goal was to fill her life with family and friends. She married our father, Joel H. Staub September 12, 1959. We quickly followed and Mom and Dad provided a childhood for us that was fun, busy, sometimes wacky, but always interesting. We have memories of trips to the beach, water skiing and clam digging when we lived in Northport, Long Island. Then skiing, hiking, and camping when we moved to Logan, Utah in 1973. In 1983 Mom, Dad and Rick moved to Connecticut to be closer to their parents. And except for a couple of years in North Carolina, Mom called Connecticut home. During their “empty” nest years together Mom and Dad traveled, built houses, and cultivated Mom’s financial planning business, Planning Partners. They visited Africa and the Galapagos Islands, two very special places that Mom often reflects on. When our Dad died June 16, 2002, Mom found remarkable strength through her grief to comfort us and define her next chapter. She traveled extensively, visiting Tanzania, India, New Zealand, and many places in Europe. She enjoyed our country’s beautiful National Parks and monuments. She went to Broadway shows, plays, museums and helped countless clients at her business, the majority of whom became life-long friends. She loved to read about history and politics and the places she visited. In 2012 she found love again with her life partner, Warren Gedstad who joined her in socializing, traveling, volunteering at their church and enjoying a lovely companionship. She wanted a big family and she got it: four children, their spouses, 12 grandchildren and so many more who called her Grandma. She succeeded staying involved in all of their lives even though they are scattered near and far. She spent countless hours cheering them on at hockey, football, baseball, basketball, cross-country, cheer squad, soccer and graduations. Excited to have more to welcome to her ever growing circle, she attended the weddings of two of her grandchildren this past year. Mom always valued friendships and made time in her busy life to nourish them. We are so grateful she had you in her life and so thankful for the support you share with us in our sadness. Mom lived a full life and we know she would tell us all to find comfort in being together, find time for laughter and let her do the worrying.