Carrie and I were sorority sisters at UVA and became great friends when we started in the Commerce School together. Lucky for me, we were assigned to the same "block" our first semester in the Comm School which meant we would have all of our classes together. I remember sitting next to Carrie in a class that first day in the Comm School and starting to panic at the workload we had coming our way. Carrie had the same stressed out look I did but also was so positive and full of energy, I knew I needed to stay by her side. We quickly began studying and doing all of our projects together and made it through that first semester. After that semester ended, we made a point to get into as many of each others classes as possible for our remaining semesters at UVA. It was during those last two years at UVA that my wonderful memories of Carrie began. Whether it was studying until the wee hours of the morning or partying at a mixer or on the corner, it was always much more fun with Carrie around.
One of my fondest memories of Carrie during our time at UVA was our last week there. We were done with classes and exams and trying to savor our final days as college students. We realized we had not done several of the "bucket list" things that you are supposed to do before you graduate from UVA. In true Carrie spirit, we decided to do all of them in one night and ended up having one of the best nights of my college career. We started the night doing the "corner crawl", then braved it and streaked the lawn, and ended the night eating a gus burger at the White Spot. It seems so simple now, but every time I walk the lawn at UVA, I think of that night and how much fun we had.
After college, Carrie moved the farthest away of our friends when she went to Dallas.
Even though most of us ended up on the East Coast, Carrie never seemed to miss an opportunity to come visit. Whether it was making a trip back for a UVA football game or Foxfield, or going to a wedding shower, bachelorette party or wedding, or just to visit for a girls weekend, Carrie was there. Nowhere was ever too far for her to travel to see her friends. And when she did show up, she was always the life of the party with that amazing smile on her face. When she was lucky enough to meet Dale, they traveled together to see all of us and we instantly fell in love with him too. I'm not sure you could ever feel down with the two of them around!
I will always cherish my memories of Carrie starting at UVA and all the years after. I feel honored to have been her friend for close to 20 years. Her strength, determination and wonderful spirit that shone through up until the very end are something I will always try to emulate in my life. She was a wonderful friend and will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I can only hope she is enjoying a beautiful beach in the sky and smiling down on all of us.
Madelyn Bradley
My heart is broken and very sad that Carrie is gone. I remember when I found out I was so devastated. I would arrive home at the door in tears and my husband would just hug me because he knew I had been crying the minute I left work until I arrived home. I just couldn’t believe the news and this was happening to her. My heart is heavy and tears are in my eyes as I write, but I need to just say what my relationship was with Carrie. I worked for Carrie for 7 years as her Executive Assistant. I remember the day I met her in Liberty Corner, NJ. John Havens had invited me to meet his team as I had supported Carrie when she was in Dallas Texas. I used to wonder what she looked like as we spoke often over the phone and thru email. She was just so young and pretty – eager and excited to be working as a Director. Our relationship was very comfortable. We worked well together. She always said that I kept her organized. Meetings were hectic and Carrie would be racing to meetings. One time we were getting off the elevator and she dropped her Blackberry and it just seemed to glide over the space between the elevator and the floor. We both just stopped and looked and then burst out laughing as it could have gone another way. She just had a way of approaching you with care and concern. She was always willing to derive a solution to any problem. “Come on in” “Let’s have lunch” “Stop by my office” were words I would hear her say to so many who needed advice or just to talk. I would watch her many days with her hands flying over her keyboard with lots of thoughts and shooting out many emails. She took the time to write thank you cards. I still have the ones she wrote to me for gifts we had exchanged at Christmas or for her Birthday. Even when she was sick she took the time to say thank you. She was so happy when I married 4 years ago. One thing was apparent she loved – Loved and enjoyed hearing and seeing people in love. She loved Dale so much and shared how they met as well. When I told her my husband and I had visited Cape May annually for our anniversary she immediately wanted to go with Dale! She loved the beach and loved to visit Cape May.
When I moved on to a new job it was so hard for both of us and we really didn’t want to say it. I cried and she did too. There were many conversations we had that were so meaningful. She was very thoughtful and kind to write me about my Dad when he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and treatments she was experimenting with for Cancer. “Take care of yourself, too. It is hard on caregivers, too. Your dad needs you healthy, so take time for u too Call if u want to discuss anything" were some of her caring words.
Her thoughtfulness was genuine. She always had the best intentions for anyone in her life. We will miss her deeply, but we know she is free from sickness and disease. I am happy to have known Carrie and all the conversations we shared in my 7 years of knowing her. I will miss that blonde hair bobbing away quickly down the hall and running on the treadmill. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Young, for raising a beautiful woman who lived a wonderful life; and knew the meaning of love and showed many of us thru her giving, thoughtfulness and time. God Bless you all who have prayed for her and stood in the gap when she was weak. She would have done the same for you.
God Bless you all and your faithfulness.
Jennifer Newnam
My heart is broken as I learn that Carrie's life has come to an end here on earth that is far too soon. I was a sorority sister of hers, just one year ahead of her, and I distinctly remember how very special she was, even if I haven't spent much time with her since graduating from UVa. Carrie stood out. She was an exception. She was pure JOY and HAPPINESS embodied in one person. I am so thankful that she found true love with her husband. I have a feeling that she would have traded anything for the opportunity of finding her soul mate. I don't think life actually has those trade offs, but I am still thankful that she found her soul mate and loved deeply. She seemed made to love and care deeply for others. She was a uniquely beautiful person. I really wish I would have known her better. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago. I have had many surgeries, over a year of chemo and now am on medications to keep the cancer dormant. I have only touched on what Carrie endured. She must have been such a strong woman. I have learned to trust in God whatever my future holds. I know that no matter what happens, He has a plan that is better than anything I can imagine. I know everyone's beliefs are different, though. I am praying for peace for all of her family and close friends. Carrie is an amazing blessing to so many of us, from so many stages of her life.
Tamara Guillou
Here’s my memory of Carrie – I used to run into her in the hallways or ladies room and she always looked like she was running to a meeting. But, she always stopped to chat with me & we usually ended up laughing about something. When I last saw her when she returned to work after being out for months, we chatted for a while and she joked about her eyes roaming. I walked away thinking how brave she was, she left an impression on me I will always remember.