Obituary for Carol Akin (Olafsen)
Carol Christine Akin (70), née Olafsen, died peacefully from lung cancer at her daughter's home in State College, PA on November 9, 2021.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on January 12, 1951 to Marjorie (Christiansen) and Harold Olafsen, Carol completed the family of five. She graduated from Walt Whitman High School and went on to earn an Associate in Arts degree from Vernon Court Junior College in Newport, RI, where she met her first husband and the love of her life, John C. Sullivan. They escaped society together on a Triumph 500 and lived two carefree years, including one in a teepee, in the mountains of Colorado. Upon returning to civilization in Newport, they had two bouncing babies, Fenbar and Carla before the seas of life and love changed tides.
In the mid-80’s Carol worked at General Dynamics, where she met her second husband, Curt Akin. In the early ’90s, she and her daughter relocated to Pike County PA to care for Carol’s ailing parents. It was there her wanderings ceased, and the house that was the summer home of her youth, built by her father, brother, and uncles on Church Road in ra-ra-ra-Rowland, PA became her home for over twenty years.
Carol’s laugh and "far-out” sense of humor is what her closest friends and family will miss most. She was always up for doting on her “darlings”: her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and would want them to remember that they are “so beautiful and very much loved.” For her favorites, she had a penchant for making odd nicknames sound loving: Moon Boots, Noon, Éa-My, and Pumpkin Poop—you know who you are.
Taking after a long line of Norwegian women before her, Carol could be found most days finishing up a New York Times crossword, a mystery novel, and some hot coffee. She was a terrific cook, loved fashion, could throw a smashing party when she felt the occasion move her, and had an uncanny ability to beautifully decorate a house without spending a dime.
In heaven, Carol joins her parents; sister Diane Jones; brother Bruce Olafsen; and (by 6 months to the day) beloved son Fenbar Jason Akin (Sullivan). Carol is survived by her daughter Carla and son-in-law Scott Stilson; first husband and lifelong friend John Sullivan; adored grandchildren Sullivan and Éa Stilson; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews, once, twice, and thrice removed.
A Lutheran funeral service will be held at Camp Koinonia in Highland Lake, NY at a date to be determined. Please contact the family for details. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s name to the General Fund at Camp Koinonia at 165 Lakeview Drive Road, Highland Lake, NY 12743 or koinoniany.org/ways-to-give-overview.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on January 12, 1951 to Marjorie (Christiansen) and Harold Olafsen, Carol completed the family of five. She graduated from Walt Whitman High School and went on to earn an Associate in Arts degree from Vernon Court Junior College in Newport, RI, where she met her first husband and the love of her life, John C. Sullivan. They escaped society together on a Triumph 500 and lived two carefree years, including one in a teepee, in the mountains of Colorado. Upon returning to civilization in Newport, they had two bouncing babies, Fenbar and Carla before the seas of life and love changed tides.
In the mid-80’s Carol worked at General Dynamics, where she met her second husband, Curt Akin. In the early ’90s, she and her daughter relocated to Pike County PA to care for Carol’s ailing parents. It was there her wanderings ceased, and the house that was the summer home of her youth, built by her father, brother, and uncles on Church Road in ra-ra-ra-Rowland, PA became her home for over twenty years.
Carol’s laugh and "far-out” sense of humor is what her closest friends and family will miss most. She was always up for doting on her “darlings”: her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and would want them to remember that they are “so beautiful and very much loved.” For her favorites, she had a penchant for making odd nicknames sound loving: Moon Boots, Noon, Éa-My, and Pumpkin Poop—you know who you are.
Taking after a long line of Norwegian women before her, Carol could be found most days finishing up a New York Times crossword, a mystery novel, and some hot coffee. She was a terrific cook, loved fashion, could throw a smashing party when she felt the occasion move her, and had an uncanny ability to beautifully decorate a house without spending a dime.
In heaven, Carol joins her parents; sister Diane Jones; brother Bruce Olafsen; and (by 6 months to the day) beloved son Fenbar Jason Akin (Sullivan). Carol is survived by her daughter Carla and son-in-law Scott Stilson; first husband and lifelong friend John Sullivan; adored grandchildren Sullivan and Éa Stilson; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews, once, twice, and thrice removed.
A Lutheran funeral service will be held at Camp Koinonia in Highland Lake, NY at a date to be determined. Please contact the family for details. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s name to the General Fund at Camp Koinonia at 165 Lakeview Drive Road, Highland Lake, NY 12743 or koinoniany.org/ways-to-give-overview.