Born July 9, 1948, in Baltimore, Md., she was the daughter of Peter E. Boyce and Henrietta (Wilson) Boyce.
Mrs. Boyce was a senior social science analyst with GAO, Washington, D.C., as a survey designer.
Carolyn was a graduate of the University of Delaware. She earned her Ph.D. from Cornell University and taught at Rutgers University.
Carolyn was the local pastor at Mt. Carmel and Bethel United Methodist Church, in Boonsboro, Md. She was a guest pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church, in Charles Town. She was a member of the Jefferson Democratic Women's Association and served on the board of directors for Relay for Life.
Carolyn courageously fought the battle against breast cancer and arthritis, not allowing her illness to stop her from giving to others. She joined the Wee Care team at the 2006 Relay For Life of Jefferson County, then led the Democratic Women's team as captain in 2007 and 2008. Despite her inability to walk a long distance, Carolyn joyfully sped along in her motorized scooter. Carolyn quietly raised money, on-line and with fundraisers, to help find a cure for cancer.
Carolyn also devoted time to her church, Asbury United Methodist, in Charles Town. She served as the chair of the Missions committee, and began a "Mission of the Month" that encouraged church members to share with those less fortunate than themselves. The annual church-wide Yard Sale was a huge success, both monetarily and in connecting with the people of her community. Carolyn lived with pain as a daily part of her life, but she rarely complained.
At the time of her death, Carolyn was survived by her husband, Jim D. Santos, at home; daughter, Andrea Santos Boyce, of Charles Town and Jonathan Santos Boyce, of Carmel, Ind.; two sisters, Susan Butts, of Chesapeake, Va., and Jeanne Lee, of Philadelphia, Pa.; and three brothers, Donald Boyce, of Groton, N.Y., Peter Boyce, of Florida and Albert Boyce, of Baltimore, Md.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter E. Boyce and Henrietta (Wilson) Boyce.
A celebration of the life of Carolyn Boyce was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 110 W. North St., Charles Town, with the Rev. Richard Kroll officiating. Interment was private.
Arrangements were made by Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Jefferson County Relay for Life, c/o Patricia Ott, 145 Donald Drive, Charles Town, WV 25414.
Virginia Graf -- Posted in the Martinsburg Journal December 9, 2008
Carolyn Mae Boyce, Ph.D., who died Dec. 3, was another remarkable woman who shared her love with family, faith and social justice issues. Carolyn's quiet demeanor, quick humor, intellectual acumen and dedication to the community make her stand out. When she joined the Democratic Women's group, she remarked how much she liked being part of something that made a difference in the lives of others. For the past two years, she organized a team for Relay for Life. Most recently, she was out campaigning for Barack Obama and our local candidates. Despite the fact that her body was quickly deteriorating, Carolyn didn't complain.