Carolyn Mary Iacobelli

After a valiant, fourteen month fight, our beloved Carolyn left us peacefully as the sun was rising in the early morning hours of August 23rd. She passed with a smile on her face, surrounded by her loving husband Olindo, and her three daughters Karen, Amanda, and Melissa. At only 16 years of age, she braved the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and reached its summit. That fighting spirit and steady endurance came through during her illness, as she never once complained and gave us all an example of indescribable courage and strength. We want to thank all of you for the support and encouragement you gave her this past year, it meant so much to her and to us as well.

As the funeral will be taking place very shortly and privately due to the COVID pandemic, those of you who wish to make a gesture are encouraged to make a donation to one of the charities listed on the donations tab in lieu of sending flowers. As you know, Carolyn's childhood in Kenya ignited and forever cemented her great love of Africa and animals, and she would have been so pleased to know that her passing would contribute to both furthering research (the Jane Goodall Institute) and protecting Kenya's wildlife (Sheldrick Wildlife Trust). This terrible disease may have taken her life, but a contribution to Pancreatic Cancer U.K. may well contribute to saving the lives of others.

Finally, we would like to ask for your help in creating a small book of remembrance. If you would share a small (or long!) anecdote of one or more memorable experiences you had with Carolyn, we would be so very grateful. You can use the condolence tab on this website to do so, post it on facebook, or send it privately to [email protected].

Sincerely,

Olindo, Karen, Amanda, and Melissa.