Obituary for Carol Gardner Shear
Carol Gardner Shear, 78, of Lancaster, VA, died February 25, 2022 after a
courageous battle with lung cancer. Carol was born in Reading, PA on December 14, 1943, to Roy and Dorothy Gardner, both deceased. She is also predeceased by Dr. Charles R. “Chuck” Shear, her husband of 44 years.
Carol grew up in Marblehead, Mass. where she developed her life-long
passion for sailing. Upon graduation from high school she attended
Marietta College in Ohio where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree
and went on to Columbia University where she earned a Master’s
Degree in Marine Science. While at Columbia she met Chuck Shear and
they married in December 1966.
After three years in England and then a period in Atlanta, GA, they moved
to the Baltimore suburbs, where Carol taught biology in the Anne Arundel
school system. While living in Maryland they kept their sailboat,
“Kittiwake”, in Annapolis; summers were spent aboard from Maine
to Florida. After retiring they moved to the Northern Neck, settling in
Eagle Landing. They were active in the Indian Creek Yacht Club for many
years. She and Chuck traveled extensively in Africa on photo safaris,
capturing stunning pictures.
After her husband’s passing, Carol continued her explorations to remote
areas of the world with her travel companion, Pat Marron, using Natural
Habitat Tours and other wildlife-oriented organizations.
Carol was a member of The Rappahannock Garden Club since 1999. She
became a Master Gardener and advisor for the Shoreline Evaluation
Program on controlling erosion. She was also a serious Mah Jongg player.
She leaves behind her loving companion and advocate Norman Kubala
and her beloved Welsh Pembroke Corgi, “Kibo“. Carol was
fiercely independent to the point of Norm often teasing her that she had
a PhD from “Stubborn University”.
Sincere gratitude goes to Dr. Singh Sahni and staff at the Gamma Knife
Surgical Center at Johnston Willis Hospital where multiple brain
procedures were performed. Also to Dr. Richard Hall of the UVA Medical
Center, who coordinated her chemotherapy program. Friends, neighbors and nurses who supported Carol during her final chapter are very much appreciated. In accordance with Carol’s wishes, there will be
no funeral service. Burial will be private.
courageous battle with lung cancer. Carol was born in Reading, PA on December 14, 1943, to Roy and Dorothy Gardner, both deceased. She is also predeceased by Dr. Charles R. “Chuck” Shear, her husband of 44 years.
Carol grew up in Marblehead, Mass. where she developed her life-long
passion for sailing. Upon graduation from high school she attended
Marietta College in Ohio where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree
and went on to Columbia University where she earned a Master’s
Degree in Marine Science. While at Columbia she met Chuck Shear and
they married in December 1966.
After three years in England and then a period in Atlanta, GA, they moved
to the Baltimore suburbs, where Carol taught biology in the Anne Arundel
school system. While living in Maryland they kept their sailboat,
“Kittiwake”, in Annapolis; summers were spent aboard from Maine
to Florida. After retiring they moved to the Northern Neck, settling in
Eagle Landing. They were active in the Indian Creek Yacht Club for many
years. She and Chuck traveled extensively in Africa on photo safaris,
capturing stunning pictures.
After her husband’s passing, Carol continued her explorations to remote
areas of the world with her travel companion, Pat Marron, using Natural
Habitat Tours and other wildlife-oriented organizations.
Carol was a member of The Rappahannock Garden Club since 1999. She
became a Master Gardener and advisor for the Shoreline Evaluation
Program on controlling erosion. She was also a serious Mah Jongg player.
She leaves behind her loving companion and advocate Norman Kubala
and her beloved Welsh Pembroke Corgi, “Kibo“. Carol was
fiercely independent to the point of Norm often teasing her that she had
a PhD from “Stubborn University”.
Sincere gratitude goes to Dr. Singh Sahni and staff at the Gamma Knife
Surgical Center at Johnston Willis Hospital where multiple brain
procedures were performed. Also to Dr. Richard Hall of the UVA Medical
Center, who coordinated her chemotherapy program. Friends, neighbors and nurses who supported Carol during her final chapter are very much appreciated. In accordance with Carol’s wishes, there will be
no funeral service. Burial will be private.