Carol Ethel Erlandson, born in Walton, on Dec. 1, 1954, passed away unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack on April 21, 2020. She was 65 years old.
Carol was a musician and well-known music teacher in the northern Catskills area. Her passion for music began in her early childhood, when she began playing the accordion, viola and piano. She played in her high school, county, and area all-state orchestras as a violist, and was also a violist in the Catskill Symphony Orchestra in Oneonta while still in high school. After graduating with the Walton High School class of 1972, Carol received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance and Master’s degree in Music Education, both from Ithaca College. After graduate school, Carol moved to Newfoundland, Canada where she taught string instruments to private students using the Suzuki method. After moving back to Walton in the late 1980s, Carol continued to give private music lessons and became a music teacher in the Walton Central School district. An impassioned and dedicated teacher, Carol taught string instruments and conducted string orchestras at the grade school, middle school and high school levels. She took special satisfaction in preparing her students for the annual performance competitions run by the New York State School Music Association. Carol was a member of the Congregational Church in Walton where she enjoyed playing music and conducting the choir. Carol retired in 2019.
Carol had many pets, most of which she had rescued in one way or another. She adopted stray cats and dogs and nursed several baby starlings back to health after finding them on the ground around her home. Always upbeat and having a sense of humor, Carol taught her starlings how to say funny phrases and to whistle songs. She loved going on walks with her dogs.
A dedicated and loving daughter, Carol took care of both parents into their old age and was the main caretaker for her mother who was bedridden for many years. She was predeceased by both parents.
Carol was a dedicated and loving sister, sister-in-law, aunt and great-aunt to her brother Alvin Erlandson, his wife Lila and their two sons, Robert and John, and their granddaughter Emily, respectively, all of whom survive Carol in Livermore, Calif.
Carol was a dedicated and loving lifelong friend to Gladys Frazier (Dean) of Walton, who also survives Carol. Gladys, always a loyal and loving friend to Carol, took care of Carol when she needed help the most, over the past several years.
Carol is also survived by cousins Chris Voorhies (Jennifer) and Stacy Dean (William) of Walton, and John Akins of Cadosia; and by many friends in upstate New York and in the music world.
The Erlandson family and Gladys are grateful to Lori Lamaica-Nelson for the loving care she gave to Carol in the past year. Carol loved living with Lori, her family, friends, and many pets.
It is anticipated that a service for Carol will be held sometime in the coming summer. An announcement will be made after restrictions on traveling and gathering due to the current pandemic have been lifted.
Anyone wishing to honor Carol and to celebrate her life is urged to make donations in Carol’s name to the Julian J. Wilcox Scholarship Fund at Friends of Music, C/O Christa Bartlett, 3300 Franklin Depot Road, Sidney Center, NY 13839; or Heart of the Catskills Humane Society, 46610 NY-10, Delhi, NY 13753.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Courtney Funeral Home, Walton. To leave a message for Carol’s family visit www.courtneyfh.com.
