Carolyn Lee Mash

Carolyn Lee Mash passed away in her sleep on 11/30/2024, at the age of 84. Born in West Virginia to Robert and Ruby Temple, Carolyn began life in Charleston’s West Side, attending Lincoln Elementary before moving to Kanawha City, transferring to Chamberlain. In Horace Mann, she became a Majorette and would fondly remember (and sometimes perform!) parts of those routines throughout her adulthood. She graduated from Charleston High School (Roar Lions, Roar!) in 1958.

After High School, she majored in secretarial studies at Morris Harvey College. I still find old notes that she wrote in “shorthand” which I can never decipher! Before marriage, she worked at C&P Telephone Company, but found her true life calling was raising children and creating a beautiful and loving home in such places as Charleston, WV, Ponce, Puerto Rico, Alberta, Canada, Saratoga County, NY, and Orange County, VA. She also spent many years as a “Color Consultant” and loved to analyze people’s skin tones, hair, and eyes to find what shades and colors would look best on them. Speaking of eyes, did you ever truly see hers up close? They were the most beautiful shade of blue, grey, or maybe aqua – a trick she learned color analyzing, no doubt – highlighting those iridescent tones. Normally, they hid behind a book and her glasses, but we learned never to take her picture without letting her take them off first!

Mom’s BIGGEST loves were her late husband, Ed Mash, her Daddy, reading, and Pepsi Cola. As her eyesight worsened toward the end, her eternal love of 50’s music sustained her. Did she tell you that Paul Anka kissed her? Twice! Once as a teenager and another time in her 40s – he must have a “type.”

Carolyn leaves behind her younger sister, Virginia “Kay” Brooks, who will always love her sister – hardly a time went by in their lives that they didn’t phone each other at least twice a day.

She also leaves behind the many children and grandchildren whose lives will remain touched by hers (and even a few great-grandchildren!)

Stephanie Bowman (and Howard Bowman, who has done the lion’s share of caretaking for Carolyn over the last decade), Scott Bruger (Tammy), Mary Heather Nellis, Erik Mash (Angela), Diane Torres (Andrew), Stefan Mash (Jenny), and Sara Korzen (Andrew) will always be grateful for the homes she made for us. Her grandson, Shawn Bowman, was one of her primary caretakers for many years, and their special bond will remain forever. She also leaves behind Cassie Bowman, Brandy Nellis, Abigail Mash, Miranda Mash, Helena Friedman, Micah Torres, Moses Torres, Joseph Torres, Ethan Mash, Erin Mash, Carson Mash, Jack Korzen, and Luke Korzen. Her great-granddaughters are Evie, River, Willow, and To’Layah.

If anyone would like to honor her memory with a donation in Carolyn’s name, her favorite charity has always been St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Thank you for being a part of her journey.