NORWAY — Carol A. Gioacchini, 80, of South Paris, ME and Lynn, MA died Thursday, Sept. 14, at Stephens Memorial Hospital, Norway, Maine with her loving family by her side.

Carol was born April 16, 1937 in Lynn, Massachusetts to Americo Gioacchini and Carolina (Tauro) Gioacchini.

Educated in the Lynn School System she was encouraged due to her artistic talent to submit her portfolio to the Massachusetts College of Art. She was accepted and would earn her Bachelors of Fine Art. It was at college that she would meet her husband John H Stedman with whom she would have two children. After graduation she was offered an apprenticeship at The Fashion House of Pierre Cardin but would decline when Carol discovered she was pregnant with her first child. She worked at home as a freelance artist designing women’s clothing and children’s wear for Carter’s, Filene’s French Shop to name a few… Carol was a talented illustrator and even took work as a ‘ghost’ cartoonist for comic strips such as Lil Abner, Prince Valiant and Peanuts among others.

Her love of children and early childhood education prompted Carol to return to school and earn her Master’s and PHD in Education in the 1970s. She was one of the originating teachers of the Head Start Program and was featured in a documentary by Leslie College on her innovative teaching modalities.

Carol loved spending time with her family and friends. Always creative and full of new ideas, she enjoyed painting, drawing, writing, music, reading, traveling, gardening, museums, anything that fed her curiosity. She was a huge Red Sox Fan and felt most a peace at the ocean.

A wise and gracious lady and devoted mother, Carol will be remembered with love by her daughter, Kyle (Stedman) Walo and her husband Charles, daughter in Law Cindy (Mello) Stedman, sister in law Dr. Larina Gioacchini, cousin Ann Westhaver, her cherished nieces and nephews and extended family and friends. She is also survived by her twin brother Henry Gioacchini.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Nor A. Stedman, brothers, Hugh Gioacchini, Dante Gioacchini, and sisters, Gloria Castex and Emma Haley. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Carol A. Gioacchini