Carol Jean Reynolds

Carol was survived by her husband, Randolph M. Reynolds of 62 years, for four days. Together, Carol and Randy were admitted to hospice and had the good fortune to be together in their final days.

Carol is survived by her children: Todd M. Reynolds, Corey A. Reynolds, Merrie-Kate Reynolds and son-in-law, Greg Smith. She adored her grandchildren: Ryan, Logan, Quinn and Taylor Reynolds, Ainsley and Charlie Reynolds-Smith very much. She also dearly loved the recent arrival of her great grandson, Maxwell M. Reynolds.

Carol was born, August 14, 1943, in Denver, Colorado to Dorothy Foster Bird and David Grant Bird. She spent much of her childhood in California, where she met Randy, who was her next-door neighbor and high school sweetheart. Carol and Randy lived in Simi Valley, California where she graduated from Cleveland High School. Carol would tell anyone she met that she was an original "Valley Girl." As a family, they lived in Minnesota, California, and Colorado. The Reynolds family landed in Colorado Springs in 1978. She was very proud of earning her bachelor's (CU Denver) and master's (Lesley University) degrees while also raising her three children. She was the first person in her family to earn a higher education.

She started teaching at Skyway Elementary School, in the Cheyenne Mt. School District in 1979, where she remained a loyal and loving teacher for close to 40 years. She was a champion of childhood literacy and was most proud of her ability to inspire a love of learning for students. She received an abundance of messages from former students crediting her for their life-long love of books and reading. Once you were a student in her classroom, she was forever curious and caring about you and your family. Hey Comets, "We are Skyway, do what's right!" In her honor, she wants us all to remember "there and their, they're not the same thing" and a lot is two separate words.

One of the last things she said to her grandson, shortly before passing, was that she was already in heaven. And by heaven we understood that the sun was shining, it looked like Italy, the Dodgers were pitching a no hitter, and the Broncos were passing balls into the endzone. She was playing tennis, golf or Mahjong with her friends and going to lunch after. Books were stacked everywhere, and she was already prepared for her beloved book clubs. All of her dogs and cats were there to greet her. And importantly, people were being decent and kind to each other.

We would like to thank the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Pikes Peak Hospice, caregivers and all of her dear friends for their efforts and attention. A celebration of Carol and Randy's life is being planned for the early summer of 2025.

In Lieu of flowers, please give a book you love to a child, friend, or library.