Caroline May SeCoy

On November 9, 2022 the SeCoy family lost our guiding light at the age of 91. Caroline May (Leonard) SeCoy was born in Silverton, Oregon on May 3, 1931 to Theodore and Josephine Leonard. She was the sixth of nine siblings in the tightknit family, which became the model for the following generations.

An avid reader and excellent student, Carol studied at both Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, where she met Jack Reed SeCoy. They married in 1951 and relocated for Jack’s Air Force Officer Training School, Pilot Training, and ensuing postings. Upon completion of his commission, the couple moved to Southern California where Jack began his career in the lumber industry and they raised their five daughters.

As retirees in 2004 the couple moved to Ashland, Oregon, where they enjoyed visits from family and friends, taking OLLI courses at Southern Oregon University, and traveling. Carol was deeply involved with the Shakespeare Festival Guild and her writers’ group.

Carol moved to Rancho Bernardo in early 2020 to be close to three of her daughters. At Casa de las Campanas she considered herself fortunate to make new cherished friends there as well.

Carol’s family was her pride, her joy, and her greatest achievement. She had a love for science, research, world affairs, continuing education, and volunteering. She toured the final country on her list, Ireland, with her family just three years ago.

Carol was a talented writer, publishing “The Bag Lady War” and was just finishing its sequel. Her decades-long passion project covering Hopi folklore and history was in its final stage.

Family and friends refer to Carol as accomplished and admired, elegant and gracious, kind and welcoming, positive, open-minded, and courageous. She embodied the pioneering spirit of her Mayflower and Oregon Trail ancestors.

Carol was known for her curiosity, her wicked sense of humor, her intellect and wisdom, her integrity, her generosity, and her stoicism. She was a pillar of strength to those around her, and her favorite quote was on persistence:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” - Calvin Coolidge

Carol’s legacy will live on in her daughters and sons-in-law, eight grandchildren and their spouses, and six great-grandchildren. She will be remembered by everyone whose life she touched.

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A celebration of Carol’s life, to be held in the new year, will be announced via email. We hope you can join us!

Memorial contributions in Carol’s name can be directed to Compassion and Choices (www.compassionandchoices.org), whose work empowers individuals in end-of-life care, planning, options and advocacy.

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“Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us; our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.” - Albert Einstein