Carol Grandjean

GRANDJEAN, Carol A. Carol A. Grandjean, 95, of Woodbridge, beloved mother of Clifford Grandjean of Waterford and Patricia Grandjean of New Haven, passed away on March 6, 2023. Carol was born in New Haven on February 14, 1928 to Angelo W. and Anna (Costello) Ruggiero. She graduated from Simmons College in Boston in 1949, where she majored in Latin American Studies. Embarking on married life one year later, she distinguished herself as a devoted wife and mother, known for carefully prepared Sunday dinners and an unflagging reputation as a “morning person” (it can safely be said that she never missed an opportunity to serve her husband and children early AM breakfasts before school and work while grooving to the popular songs of the day on radio). In addition to serving as the primary caretaker of her mother-in-law, Elsie Grandjean, for 40 years, Carol spent more than 20 years as an in-demand substitute teacher for the Town of Woodbridge School system, tackling subjects ranging from mathematics to music. Despite the demands of her daily life, she never lost her lifelong passions for gardening, flower arranging, and the game of bridge (at which she was generally acknowledged to be an ace). Besides her children, Carol is survived by her daughter-in-law, Dorene Grandjean of Waterford, her grandchildren, Katherine Grandjean and her husband Zachary Gragen of Ashland, Massachusetts, Morgen Grandjean and her husband John Gaetano of Old Lyme, and Benjamin Grandjean his wife Alexandra Grandjean of Greenwich; and four great-grandchildren: Laura and Carey Gragen, Bodhi Gaetano and Edward (“Teddy”) Grandjean. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Edward Grandjean (1926-2012) and her sister and soulmate, Ruth Kennedy. Carol will be remembered by those who loved her for her incredible generosity of spirit, her wise, common-sense approach to life, her sharp sense of humor, and her never-ending interest in current events and new cultural trends. Her burial service will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 (www.stjude.org) or any other preferred charity. Online remembrances may be conveyed to the family at hawleylincolnmemorial.com.