Carol Anne Marquardt Laun—world traveler, avid cyclist, talented writer, much-respected historian of Granby, and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother—passed away on June 20, 2021, at the age of 87. She faced the end of her journey, after a recurrence of ovarian cancer, with the same courage, grace and organizational skill that she brought to everything else in her life. She will be missed more than we can say.
Through her decades of dedicated work at the Salmon Brook Historical Society as curator, archivist, and genealogist, Carol has guided the Society’s growth, written countless history articles for the Granby Drummer and other publications, and introduced generations of schoolchildren to the history of their home town—not to mention all the speeches she gave, committees she served on, projects she led and exhibits she created. She even persuaded her husband, Dave, to join her in her work at the Society after his retirement. In her younger years, she was a familiar figure around town with her bicycle and brightly colored biking outfits. Red was always her favorite color. She also baked a great rhubarb pie.
Carol was born on March 9, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She studied journalism and education at the University of Wisconsin where she met her future husband, F. David Laun. They married in 1957 before moving to Connecticut to start their family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Agnes Marquardt; her sister, Jacqueline Tutino; and her brother, Robert Marquardt. She is survived by her husband and three daughters, Deb (John), Sue (Greg), and Karen, as well as by three grandchildren, Erica (Zach), Kevin, and Jake. Our hearts are broken, but we are so proud of everything she has accomplished and so grateful she was part of our lives.