Carol Gorthy Obituary

Mrs. Carol Ione Lawton Gorthy, 88, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Carol was born in Eastchester, NY, on September 23, 1936, to the late Milton and Mildred Theismeyer Lawton. She was the valedictorian of Eastchester High School’s Class of 1954, earning highest scholastic honors and awards in mathematics, art, history and French. She went on to earn Bachelors and Masters of Arts degrees from Hunter College in New York City. On June 13, 1959, Carol married the love of her life, Willis Charles Gorthy, Junior. In their early marriage, Willis and Carol lived in Princeton, NJ, where Willis earned his PhD in Biology, and Laurel Maryland, where he pursued Post-Doctoral studies with the USDA in Washington, DC. Willis and Carol moved to Fort Collins, CO in 1966, where Willis spent 30 years as an Anatomy Professor at Colorado State University.

Carol began her career teaching elementary school art, but took time off to raise her 3 sons, Willis III, Brent and Scott. Carol supported her husband in his career, and enjoyed participating in an Extension Homemaker Club and various artistic pursuits and church activities in Fort Collins. When her sons became older, she taught art in a local Fort Collins elementary school and later worked as a paraprofessional for 2 local high schools supporting the art departments. In 1994, she received the Poudre R1 Paraprofessional of the Year Award. In their retirement, Willis and Carol moved to Summerville, SC, where they enjoyed Lowcountry life and church activities. Carol pursued painting again and provided her family members with a variety of beautiful pieces of art. After Willis’ passing in 2014, Carol moved to Aiken, SC to be near her son Willis and his wife Jean. She enjoyed living at Cumberland Village and experiencing local events with Jean until her health declined. She spent her last 3 years under the care of the staff at Shadow Oaks Assisted Living.

She is survived by her sons, Willis (Jean) Gorthy, III, Aiken, SC, Brent (Annie) Gorthy, Highlands Ranch, CO, and Scott (Cheryl) Gorthy, Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Brandon Gorthy, Kirstie Gorthy, Derek Gorthy, and Jared Gorthy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Charles Gorthy, Jr.; a sister, Janice Lawton; and a brother, Bruce Lawton.

A Celebration of Carol’s Life will be held on June 2, 2025 at 1 pm, with visitation at 12 pm in the Shellhouse Funeral Home chapel with the Reverend Peppy DuTart officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A burial service will be held at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, CO on June 13, 2025 at 1 pm.

Carol’s family wishes to thank Lenzie Wilson and the staff at Shadow Oaks who provided loving care during her last 3 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alzheimers.org), or to Compassion International (https://www.compassion.com/)

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC