Carolyn G. Brown ’83

Our beloved classmate Carolyn died May 14, 2022, in Crestone, Colo., after a two-year cancer journey.

Carolyn was born in Wynnewood, Pa. At Princeton she majored in politics and graduated magna cum laude. She played water polo and was an enthusiastic participant in the Elm Club Athletic Conference, playing sports ranging from Frisbee to broom ball. Carolyn earned a master’s degee in English and creative writing from San Francisco State.

She was an associate publisher of Bay Nature magazine, ran an energy conservation program, and founded a communications agency serving environmental organizations, land trusts, and sustainability-minded businesses. She also organized annual poetry festivals, singing and choreographers’ groups, and led myriad yoga students for more than 15 years. 

Carolyn inspired us with her creativity, curiosity, playfulness, and fierce defense of nature. She was a great friend who taught us to treasure our connection to each other, the Earth, and our core spirit. Ever the teacher, she shared with us her courage, fears, and final release through forthright and poetic emails and Zoom calls.

At the time of her death, Carolyn was survived by her mother, Carol Brown, who died in December 2022. Carolyn is survived by her brother, Larry Brown ’81; sister-in-law Sue ’82; seven nieces and nephews; and her partner, Steven Williford. She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Brown ’51. The class extends its condolences to her family and friends.