Carolyn Jean Minner, born in St. Louis on March 13, 1929 to Jack Minner and Carolyn Keller, died peacefully on October 9, 2025 at the age of 96 years.

She moved to Scarsdale, N.Y. in 1939 and graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1946. It was during this time that she met Cynthia Feldman and began a friendship that would last for 80 years. Carolyn enrolled at Smith College as a freshman in 1946 and lived in Franklin King dormitory where she served as an officer her senior year. While pursuing a degree in English Literature at Smith, she dated Robert C. Low, whom she later married in 1950 shortly after graduation.

Married life took Carolyn to Virginia while Rob was stationed at the Pentagon, and then back to New York City where daughter Robin was born in 1953. From there, business opportunities took her to Houston (where daughter Carie was born in 1956), Corpus Christi (son John born in 1958) and finally to Dallas where daughter Susie was born in 1960.  While in Dallas, Carolyn renewed her passion for tennis, becoming quite an accomplished player and instilling this passion in all her children.

Following her divorce in 1979, Carolyn “started over” by pursuing a master’s degree in social work, which she received in 1981. For the next 15 years, she would work as a licensed clinical social worker in both the Dallas and Seattle areas, where she relocated in 1985. She loved her time in Seattle, with frequent visits to Pike Place Market and Ray’s Boathouse.

In 1996, Carolyn could no longer deny her dream of living on Martha’s Vineyard, where her father had retired years before. With the help of daughter Carie, she traveled across country and moved into a lovely cottage that would be home for the next 17 years. Carolyn was happiest on the Island, loving the ocean breezes, the hunt for sea glass on High Beach and developing the many friendships that would endure until her death. Never one to sit by idly, she busied herself with stints at the Vineyard Gazette, Forget-Me-Not antique shop and Gossamer Gallery.

Carolyn left the Island in 2013 for the comforts of daughter Carie’s home in Lexington, Ky., where she resided until her death. While in Lexington, she kept herself busy reading to children at Cassidy Elementary, doing local hospice work and assisting in the placement of golden retrievers in adopted homes through GRRAND. This work was especially rewarding for her given her

lifelong love of golden retrievers, especially her treasured Chips and Kingsley. It was during this time that Pam Pattisson came into Carolyn’s life as caretaker and friend, and Pam remained faithfully by Carolyn’s side until her last breath.

Carolyn possessed a keen intellect and loving heart, and will be remembered for her many passions - for her family, her many friends, New York Times puzzles, golden retrievers, Roger Federer’s elegance and that elusive piece of sea glass that is no doubt awaiting her just up the beach. She is survived by her four children, Robin Low (Kevin Cook), Carie Gabriel, John Low (Rhonda) and Susie Love (Ron), her seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and by her beloved brother, John B. Minner.

Carolyn will be remembered by her family at a private ceremony next summer at Split Rock on Martha’s Vineyard.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolyn’s memory may be made to Golden Retriever Rescue & Adoption of Needy Dogs, 7924 Vine Crest Avenue, Louisville, KY 40222.