Carolyn Nubel DeTurk
Carolyn Nubel DeTurk, 84, died peacefully on March 8, 2016 surrounded by her loving husband, her family and her devoted caregivers as well as the wonderful staff at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Born in Bayshore, Long Island, on Jan. 30, 1932, to Herbert and Marjorie Nubel, Carolyn was raised on Long Island and spent her summers on Fire Island with her grandparents Isabel and William Pray. An avid lover of the ocean, Carolyn was often to be found body surfing, swimming, boating and saltwater fishing on the island.
On Oct. 14, 1950, Carolyn married Frederick W. DeTurk and began a lifelong journey with the husband she adored. Both were graduates of Garden City High School where they first met in 1946. At Garden City High, Carolyn was a Drum Majorette and band member. Carolyn and Fred had three children: Debi DeTurk Peloso of Greenville, Fla., Eric DeTurk of Seattle, Wash., and Nancy DeTurk of Wilmington, N.C. They lived in Maryland, Garden City, N.Y., and Guilford, Conn., before settling in Wilton, where they resided for 28 years. In 1994 they moved to Landfall in Wilmington.
A devoted and remarkable mother and wife, her generosity of spirit was also evident in her active participation in many volunteer and charitable activities. Carolyn was Girl Scout Troop Leader for both of her daughters and Den Mother for her son Eric’s Cub Scout Troop. Carolyn was a deaconess of the Wilton Congregational Church and enjoyed organizing events at the church’s annual Yankee Fair, including its well-known Arts Show. She worked actively to bring arts into the Wilton Public School system with Young Horizons. Her interest in art led Carolyn to serve as a director of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance and in 1981 she chaired the Friends of Martha Graham Committee. Carolyn was a member of the Wilton Garden Club and in 1986 was elected President. In Wilmington, Carolyn was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served on the Arrangements Committee for Frank H. Kenan Chapel.
Always active, Carolyn played tennis, platform tennis and golf. She loved to walk and enjoyed nature. In their retirement, Carolyn joined her husband in his love of fly fishing and together they traveled the world, fishing in such places as New Zealand, Patagonia and Alaska. With their good friends from Wilton they took annual fly fishing trips in the U.S. and abroad. On these travels, Carolyn and Fred cultivated their love of the arts, collecting pieces to enjoy and remind them of the many adventures they shared.
Carolyn had a lifelong interest in health, nutrition and fitness. She volunteered at the Norwalk Hospital and served with Visiting Nurses and Meals on Wheels in Wilton. As an advocate of healthful living, she taught behavior modification as it related to diet and weight loss with Shirley Simon’s Learn to be Thin program.
The family wishes to extend their love and gratitude to Joan Arjoon Goodrich and Diana “Dee” Deaver Seidle for their loving care of Carolyn during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
A memorial service will be held at the Frank H. Kenan Chapel in Landfall, Wilmington, N.C., on March 22, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Condolences to the family at Andrews Market Street Chapel.
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