Carolyn Shaver Eisenmenger

Carolyn Shaver Eisenmenger, 96, passed away peacefully Sept. 21, 2022 at Mary Ann Morse Healthcare in Natick.

Mother, homemaker, travel agent and active Natick citizen, Carolyn was born in 1926 in Fredonia, New York, daughter of Richard and Carolyn Shaver, and grew up in Saranac Lake, New York.

After graduating from Cornell University, she became an “information specialist,” first at the University of Maryland at College Park then at Oregon State in Corvallis, positions that allowed her to pursue her love of writing.

It was in Oregon that she met and married fellow easterner Robert (Bob) Eisenmenger. Shortly after the birth of their first child in 1954, the couple moved to Massachusetts, settling on Water Street in South Natick and later moving to what would become her beloved Woodland Street home of 50 years.

Carolyn reveled in the company of her children, her grandchildren, her dog Greta and her cat Pumpkin.

She excelled at everything she put her mind to whether it be gardening, birdwatching, cooking, sewing, knitting, painting or involvement in Natick civic life. An avid reader, she sped through a stack of library books every week and read multiple daily newspapers.

A longtime Natick Town Meeting member, Carolyn served for years as president of the Natick League of Women Voters, championing civic involvement and good government.

In 1975, with all three daughters off to college, Carolyn became a travel agent. At the Cerel Agency in Natick, she enjoyed helping others with their travel and the opportunity to see the world with other travel agents. Then and after retirement, she went to every continent except Antarctica, keeping a long list of the individual countries visited.

As each of her eight grandchildren completed Grade 8 and prepared to begin high school, she and Bob planned a foreign adventure for grandchild and grandparents. A trip to the Galapagos, a Greek islands cruise and visiting Norwegian fiords were all part of the fun.

Her daughters all remember and were inspired by Carolyn’s tenacity. Born with congenitally dislocated hips, she developed arthritis early but never let it get in the way of living a full life.

Predeceased by Bob in 2017, Carolyn is survived by her three daughters, Anne Eisenmenger and husband Patrick Lester of Wareham, Dr. Katherine Eisenmenger of Lexington, Lisa Eisenmenger of Holliston; eight grandchildren, Emil, Emily and Erik Peinert, Audrey Eisenmenger-Kaufman, Chris, Benjamin, Bella and Harrison Tobin; and one great granddaughter.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October. 4th at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery 25 Glenwood Street South Natick

Contributions in Carolyn’s memory may be made to the Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick, MA 01760 and the Natick Community Organic Farm 117 Eliot St., Natick, MA 01760.  For guest book please visit www.everettfuneral.com

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