Carolyn Gruelle died peacefully at home on January 26, 2023, at age 96. She is survived by three children, David Gruelle (wife Jennie Gruelle), Emily Gruelle Hickey (husband Jeff Hickey), and Martha Gruelle (partner Ken Paff), as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Richard B. Gruelle, who passed in 2009.
Ms. Gruelle joyfully embraced her roles as wife and mother, while engaging the wider world through volunteer work, nonprofit management, sailing, and other travel. She blazed trails as director of Wilmington's Crisis Line and of Cape Fear Voluntary Action Center. She was named to the governor's Order of the Long Leaf Pine in October 1981 and in October 1984.
After retirement, Carolyn and Richard took extended sailing trips and enjoyed other travel across the U.S. and Canada.
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