ADDISON — Carol Ann Welch Shields, our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully into heaven’s glories, held tightly with love. Her final weeks were filled with joyous family gatherings, storytelling, laughter, quiet tears, and heartwarming messages from the many people whose lives she touched over her 83 years. She held on to life with determination and was ever supported by her daughter, Verna Jean, in her hardest of days.
Born in Groton, Vt., Sept. 23, 1943, Carol was the third child of Clarence Welch and Ida (Shatney) Welch. Raised on Bible Hill in Ryegate, Vt., alongside her siblings — Roberta, Heman (deceased), Clarence, Jacob, Evalona, and Michael — she learned resilience, love, and the value of family amidst life’s hardships. Growing up, she developed a deep, lifelong passion for nature, finding joy and comfort in flowers, trees, and the scenic beauty of Ticklenaked Pond.
Carol committed her life to Jesus as an 11-year-old at Camp Hope, and from that moment on, her faith was her purpose and strength. Through all stages of life — as a young bride, missionary, youth group leader, caregiver, teacher, friend, mother, and grandmother — she faithfully followed her Savior. To know Carol was to know God, and she approached every trial with a can-do spirit, looking for the silver lining and continually reaching out to be a blessing to others.
She met her husband, Arthur William Shields, at Groton Baptist Church shortly after he returned from the Air Force. The love kindled then grew into a lifelong love story. Together, they realized dreams, built houses, and raised five children. Carol’s greatest joy was found in her life with Arthur — from their early dating days to the busy years raising babies, and finally to their peaceful retirement on their beloved parcel in Addison, named “Mountain Shade.”
Carol had a profound love for children of all ages. Though she wasn’t fond of traditional domestic chores like sewing or cooking, she possessed an extraordinary talent for teaching through nature, writing, and telling stories. Through her daycare, kindergarten classes, youth groups, and connections with young adults, she built lasting relationships with countless young people, remembering every single one with love. As Grandma and Gigi, she was immensely proud of each of her grandchildren and deeply enamored with her great-grandchildren.
Carol was predeceased by her husband, Arthur William Shields. She leaves behind her children, Tim (Mary) Shields of Brandon, Vt., Victoria (David) Jacobs of Fort Covington, N.Y., Thomas (Lynn) Shields of Canaan, N.H., Joy (Gordon) Dobson of Addison, Vt., and Verna Jean (Douglas) Aldrich of Barkhamsted, Conn.; her grandchildren, Esther, Timothy, Stacy, Hans, Krista, Samuel, Thomas, Nathanael, Benjamin, Kelsey, Abigael, Kaelen, and Rebekah; along with their loves, Lynn, Cassie, Jeremy, Jordy, Reina, Jennie, Will, Mary Reagan, and Bradley; and her great-grandchildren, Emmett, Forrest, Ellie, Emma, and Niko.
While we celebrate Mom’s life and her firm trust in Christ’s salvation, we mourn her physical presence deeply. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who connected with Mom in the last weeks online. Your messages, flowers, and pictures sustained her in countless ways.
Funeral services in celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10:30 a.m., at the Ryegate Corner Presbyterian Church, 48 South Bayley Hazen Road, East Ryegate, Vt., with the Rev. Douglas Aldrich officiating. Interment will follow at the Walter Harvey Cemetery in Mosquitoville, Barnet, Vt. A luncheon will follow.◊
