Carol (Ballou) Ladd age 76 of Concord passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2009 from reoccurrence of colon cancer. She was the devoted wife of 55 years to Charles [Chuck] C. Ladd, III. Carol had returned home from Emerson Hospital the day before to enjoy an evening family party centered about video photos of 60 years of life with her husband and their descendants. She passed on peacefully the next afternoon surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Providence, RI on Christmas Day, December 25, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Ira and Ruth (Kent) Ballou.
Carol was raised in Barrington, RI, where she met Chuck on a blind date at age 15: it was love at first sight. She graduated from Barrington High School in 1950 and then from Roger Williams General Hospital School of Nursing in Providence in 1953.
Carol and Chuck were married in 1954 while he was still in college. They moved to Concord in 1958, after living in WWII barracks, and had their four children by the time Chuck finally graduated from MIT and joined its Civil Engineering faculty in 1961. Carol and family are fondly remembered by students from around the world for their hospitality, especially summer cookouts and 20 years of Christmas parties.
Carol was mainly responsible for raising the children because of Chuck’s academic and consulting demands. She then became the greatest of grandmothers, the matriarch of family gatherings, and cherished by all those around her.. Her generous spirit extended to a love of animals as shown by adopting many strays and supporting numerous animal societies.
Carol had an active interest in politics, first with the Concord Young Republicans, and then for decades as a member of the Republican Town Committee and as a worker at the voting polls. In 1966, Carol headed Edward Brooke’s U.S. Senatorial campaign for the town of Concord.
Besides her husband she is survived by her children Melissa Northrup and her husband John of Boxborough, Charles C. Ladd, IV and his wife Marcia of Mountain Top, PA, Ruth McGraw and her husband James of Acton and Matthew and his wife Annette of Little Compton, RI, nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She was also the sister of the late Patricia Williams.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 3:00 p.m.
TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
54 Walden Street
Concord, MA 01742
978/369-4837
www.triconchurch.org
PUBLIC RECEPTION
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 4:30 p.m.
CONCORD COUNTRY CLUB
246 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner
Concord, MA 01742
978/369-6576
www.concordcc.org
INTERMENT
Private
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Concord, MA
GIFTS IN HER NAME MAY BE MADE TO:
Animal Rescue League of Boston
10 Chandler St.
Boston, MA 02116
www.arlboston.org
Cocker Spaniel Rescue League of New England
P.O. Box 162
Greenfielf, NH 03047
www.csrne.org
Emerson Hospital
133 ORNAC
Concord, MA 01742
www.emersonhospital.org
Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
978/369-3388
www.concordfuneral.com
Proud to be family owned, operated and occupied