Carol Waldrop, senior development director of the Arizona Science Center, co-founder of the RED BOOK, and community volunteer; died last night, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Family and friends are devastated and heartbroken. Carol Waldrop, born April 7, 1939, is survived by her husband Woody Waldrop and three children and two grandchildren.
Her close friend Jacquie Dorrance says that “while the room now feels empty without her loving, gracious spirit and laughter, the memories of times together with Carol will be cherished forever.”
Carol Waldrop was known in the community for her wonderful sense of humor and generous nature. “She could laugh a donation out of almost anyone, and countless organizations benefitted from her caring nature and determination to help others,” reminds Jacquie.
Chevy Humphrey, president and CEO of the Arizona Science Center adds that, “Carol will be remembered for her humor, her generosity of spirit and her innumerable contributions not only to Arizona Science Center, but to bettering our Phoenix community.”
It was just two months ago that Carol’s close friend Jacquie and the ASC staff threw Carol a surprise 70th birthday party at the center’s Dorrance Planetarium. Not an easy task to keep the secret from Carol, whose forte was planning the fundraising parties for the Center.
“Keeping the surprise party a secret was so hard, it was a job in itself,” says Chevy. Jacquie and Carol’s family point out that there is a lot of pressure to describe someone’s life in words, especially a life as big and wonderful as Carol ‘s. “As expressive as words can be, none can adequately describe knowing Carol Waldrop personally. This is all you needed to know: you always knew when Carol entered a room and when she left one.“
“Carol would come into a room with a warm, friendly and admittedly “loud” hello. But that was Carol. Always happy. Always carrying with her that rare quality to lift the spirit of others and bring humor to all situations. And if you didn’t smile at her jokes, her signature cookies would certainly do the trick.”
Carol Waldrop, who was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, was involved in many charities and community service organizations including, the Scottsdale Girls Club, Phoenix Art Museum League, Junior League of Phoenix, Phoenix Country Day School, Family Service Agency, Phoenix Zoo Board, the Women’s Board of the Arizona Kidney Foundation, the Desert Foundation Auxiliary, Friends of Arizona Cancer Center, COMPAS Board and Florence Crittenton.
In addition to her job at the Science Center and co-founding the RED BOOK, she had worked at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Hospice of the Valley and TGEN.
Services will be held on Saturday July 11, 2009 at 11am Valley Presbyterian. At 6947 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Carol’s name to the Arizona Science Center or Hospice of the Valley. Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Or the Arizona Science Center, 600 East Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
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