Mary Carolyn Stanton

Mary Carolyn Stanton (nee Cavanaugh), 95, died peacefully at her home in New Smyrna Beach on December 2, 2017. 
Carolyn was born in Kansas City, Mo., August 6, 1922, the daughter of Stella (Nan) Handley Omer Cavanaugh and Mark A. Cavanaugh. She was a graduate of St. Theresa’s Academy, Kansas City and St. Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis, Mo. In 1944 she married Dr. John Charles Stanton (Jack) of St. Louis with whom she had 14 children. In 1952 they moved to Daytona Beach, FL in 1956 to Lakeland, FL and in 1981 retired to New Smyrna Beach, FL.  In 2014 they celebrated 70 years of marriage. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband (2/1/2015) her son, Robert M. Stanton (1/22/2013), and sister Patricia Ann Cavanaugh.
Carolyn is survived by her thirteen grateful children, Carol A. Stanton ( John Parrell), Kathleen M. Kissel (Harvey), John M. ( Carol Livingston), Mark C. (Melissa Eitson), Patrick (Ellen Glennon), Michael T. ( Diane Osgood), Anne (Jay Smith), Martha M. (Dennis Bellamy), Thomas J., James E. (Kelly Brady), Mary G. (Dan Baryenbruch), William J. (Laura Ensley), and, Joseph B. ( Lisa Porter). She was loving grandmother to 40 and great grandmother to 26. She is also survived by her sister, Catherine Louise Zahner (Leo) and 19 nieces and nephews. 

A devout Catholic, she was a member of the Catholic Women’s Club and a Catholic Charities volunteer in Lakeland. She served as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, New Smyrna Beach, and was a member of the famous “back row” of the 4 o’clock Mass there. She also served as a Hospice volunteer. 

Carolyn was an avid bridge player and an Official Taster of Fine Irish Whiskeys. Brilliant of mind and very social, she loved crosswords, animated political discussions, parties and conversations with her many friends over the years. After losing her sight to macular degeneration she continued her passion for reading via the Library of Congress Reading for the Blind Program. In her final years she enjoyed the company of her family and her good friend Anne LaMonte, her caregiver Gail Rotramel, and the Franciscan Community of New Smyrna Beach.

Visitation will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, New Smyrna Beach, FL on Friday, December 8th at 10:00 am.  Funeral Mass at 11:00 am,  followed by luncheon at the church hall. Interment to follow at Sea Pines Memorial Garden, Edgewater, FL.  Arrangements by Settle-Wilder Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to Human Service Ministry, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, New Smyrna Beach and to Halifax Health Hospice.   

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