Carol McConville Dwyer

Carol McConville Dwyer, age 88 and a long-time resident of Concord, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. Carol McConville was born on February 8, 1937, in Framingham, Massachusetts, the only child of the late Francis J. and Janet L. (Howell) McConville. She grew up just a few houses down from her five beloved cousins, whom she thought of as sisters until the day she passed.

As a girl, Carol enjoyed riding, swimming, and competing in ice skating at the Boston Skating Club. After winning the New England Juveniles at 12, she continued to share her love of skating: participating in the annual Ice Chips show, teaching local kids to skate in Franconia, New Hampshire, and training for a sit-spin on her 60th birthday.

Her greatest joy in youth was attending Camp Bob-o-link in summer, first as a camper and later as a counselor. She carried the friendships and memories from Bob-o-link throughout her life, and always sought similar opportunities for others.

Carol attended Beaver Country Day School, Smith College and went on to study landscape architecture at Radcliffe. She met her husband, James L. Dwyer, amidst the halcyon ski club culture of the 1950s and early 60s and together they spent 50 years hiking and skiing in the white mountains of New Hampshire.

She was a devoted member of the First Parish in Concord, and later in life became an activist for peace and social justice. After serving on the Concord Planning Board in the 1970’s she continued to work against pollution and for the protection and conservation of land.

Throughout it all, she documented the lives of everyone she met in photographs, video, and interviews. More than anything, she showed a deep interest in people and sincerely felt that their triumphs and tragedies were important and deserved to be recognized and remembered.

Carol is survived by her four children, Sean Dwyer of Ringe, NH; Peter Dwyer of Santa Fe, NM; Katherine Dwyer of Harvard, MA; and Cullen Dwyer of Lunnenburg, MA, and her three grandchildren, Khira, Rowan, and Taliah. 

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Carol for her memorial service on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 am at the First Parish, 20 Lexington Road, Concord. Burial in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery will be private.

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com