Obituary of Carol McLaren

         When Carol Ford McLaren of Deansboro, New York passed away on November 30, 2024, a family lost a mother and grandmother and her community lost a dedicated and thoughtful leader.

         Carol was born at home on the family farm in Clinton, New York on October 2, 1932.  She was the youngest child of Edwin Ford, Sr and Dorothy Trowbridge Ford.  Carol was a graduate of Clinton Central School, Morrisville State College and Empire College where she received her B.S. degree in Nutrition and Food Service Administration.  She worked in this field for her entire career, taking great pride in serving and planning nutritious meals for anyone that needed her help. She especially enjoyed teaching nutrition and cooking classes at BOCES, judging food contests at the Boonville Fair and writing her “Food For Thought” column for the Waterville Times.  Her award-winning recipes will live on in recipe files for years to come.  She was a member of the Town of Marshall Board for 10 years, American Dietetic Association, American School Food Service Association, Mohawk Valley Colonial Dames, James Madison Chapter of the DAR, former member of the Foothills Girls Scout Council Board of Directors, past president of Morrisville College Alumni Corporation and the Deansboro United Church of Christ.

One of the things Carol enjoyed most was vacationing at the family camp on Third Lake in Old Forge.  Many hours were spent cruising around on the lake, drinking iced tea and looking for loons.

            Carol was united in marriage to Leon (Mike) McLaren for 51 years.  They made their home in Deansboro.  Mike predeceased his wife in 2005.  She is survived by three children:  Heather (Patrick) Dunshee of Earlville, NY, Bonnie (Robert) Boughton of Lancaster, NY and Rebecca (Edwin) Owen of Avon, NY, five grandchildren, Brenna (Beau) LaFlore and Ian (Kayla Osterndorff) McLaren-Dunshee, Mitchell (Rosa) Boughton, Alexis and Danielle Owen, and one great grandson, Reid Wayne McLaren. 

          Special thanks go out to Barton East Staff at MVHS Rehab and Nursing Facility for their excellent and attentive care, especially Mary Brady or her love and compassion to our mom and our family.  Arrangements by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service.  There will be a private family service at a later date.  Burial will take place in the Deansboro Cemetery at that time.  As per Carol’s request, please consider a donation to the Deansboro Cemetery or Deansboro United Church of Christ.