Carolyn Baldwin

CAROLYN OCTAVIA BALDWINIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carolyn last Sunday, March 3, 2013. She went peacefully, knowing that she packed a full and wonderful life in her 90 years on this earth. She was born in Springfield, Ohio to Charles and Inez McDargh on August 9, 1922. Carolyn was the oldest of eleven kids, having 5 brothers and 5 sisters. She often remarked that after helping her mother take care of so many children she didn't much care about being around kids anymore. Fortunately, for her own three offspring, she briefly overcame those thoughts. Her brothers and sisters were Doris (dec.), Janis (dec.), Bill (dec.), Raymond (dec.), Jim (dec.), Bud (dec.), Larry (Kansas), Rita (Arizona), Ruth Ann (dec.), and Sharon (Nebraska).Carolyn joined the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in 1944 and was assigned to a recruiting unit along with other lovely young ladies. Unfortunately for the Army, she met and fell in love with a handsome and dashing Army Air Corps Captain Irl Edgar Baldwin, Jr., a B-17 bomber pilot that had returned from the European Theater. They were married in September 1944, and she was honorably discharged in 1945 after becoming pregnant. Irl, Jr. was re-assigned to a B-29 unit and headed for the Pacific Theater. Before leaving, he took Carolyn to stay with his parents at their fruit farm in the Yakima Valley, Washington. He told her if their child was a boy, under no circumstances to name him after him and his father. Irl Edgar Baldwin, III was born in August, 1945. Concurrently, Irl, Jr. landed on Tinian Island in the Pacific and saw two secluded heavily guarded B-29s off in the distance and wondered what the fuss was about. He later learned that the planes were the Enola Gay and Boxcar that had dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Irl returned from the Pacific Theater, decided to stay in the service, picked up Carolyn and Irl, III (now known as Bucky), and moved to his new assignment in Denver, Colorado. Linda Lee Baldwin was born in 1948. The young Baldwin family moved to Pullman, Washington where Irl finished his college education and earned a B.S. in Physics from Washington State University. In 1950, Irl and Carolyn decided to formally change their son's name to Lance George Baldwin. During their time in Washington, Irl taught Carolyn how to play bridge. This turned out to be their avocation for the next 50 years.The next move was a three year assignment to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Then came a year in Prattville, Alabama, where Irl attended the Air Force Command and Staff Course in Montgomery. In 1955, the Baldwins moved to Albuquerque for their first of two tours, and fell in love with the city. They bought a house in Hoffmantown and they never sold it because they both always knew they would return to it. While in Albuquerque, Carolyn became a Life Master (a rating of the American Contract Bridge League) much to the chagrin of Irl that she beat him to that goal. In 1959, Shannon Kay Baldwin was born and the family was transferred to Alexandria, Virginia where Irl worked at the Air Force Technical Applications Center.Livermore, California was the next destination for the Baldwins where they stayed for three years from 1963 to 1965. Albuquerque was the final assignment from 1965 to 1968 when Carolyn and Irl retired from the military. He continued for another 15 years in the Civil Service while they played a lot of bridge and Irl finally became a Life Master Bridge player himself.Every place she lived, Carolyn would do volunteer work for the Red Cross and at military hospitals. She raised her kids and was proud of them. Irl passed away in 2002 and she was never quite the same as she was when she had her soul mate. They are now reunited and will forever be together. Carolyn and Irl are just now beginning their eternal journey together at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.Carolyn's children Lance and wife Ruth, Linda and husband Cliff Hays, and Shannon all reside in Albuquerque. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Jarred Baldwin and wife Crystal (Albuquerque), Jesse Baldwin and wife Brooke (Albuquerque), Kelly Hays (Maryland), and Tony Hays (Australia). There is one great-granddaughter, Emma Shea Baldwin (Jesse and Brooke's daughter).Carolyn's family wishes to thank Advantage Home Health Care and Hospice for several years of home care assistance and the last five months of hospice team support. Thanks also go to FRENCH Mortuary on Wyoming for their very professional and caring arrangements.