Carolyn McVey, beloved mother, grandmother, educator, and community member, passed away on January 14th at the age of 84. Born on November 14, 1941, in Dayton, Ohio, she was the daughter of Dwight and Josephine Coffman. Carolyn spent her childhood on the family dairy farm, where she developed a lifelong love for gardening and animals and learned the value of hard work and community through daily chores, fieldwork, and active participation in 4-H dairy and sewing clubs.

From an early age, Carolyn was deeply involved in her church, serving in the Sunday School nursery and singing in the choir at Farmersville EUB Church (now Farmersville United Methodist). Her passion for education emerged early on, as she volunteered in elementary classrooms during high school and participated in both band and chorus.

After graduating from Farmersville High School in 1959 and earning her BS in Elementary Education from Miami University of Ohio in 1962, Carolyn began a teaching career in Madison, Wisconsin, which would span three decades. Always dedicated to her field, she completed her Master of Science Behavioral Disabilities at UW Madison in 1973. Students and colleagues remember her not only for her dedication and skill, but for the warmth and compassion she brought into every classroom.

Her excellence in education was recognized with the Distinguished Teacher Award from the UW School of Education in 1987, as a district finalist for the Kohl Teacher Fellowship in 1996, and with the Distinguished Service Award in 1997.

Beyond her professional life, Carolyn enjoyed modeling and was an active member of the Madison Civic Club and Metropolitan Women’s Club. She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, where she volunteered and sang in the choir, uplifting those around her. Carolyn’s love for gardening—evident in her annual tomato and raspberry crops, her rose bushes, and seasonal displays—reflected her nurturing spirit. Her affection for animals, especially dogs, was another constant throughout her life, with each four-legged friend quickly becoming a cherished member of the family.

Carolyn was married to her devoted husband, Mac McVey, for 48 years until his passing in 2023. She is survived by her brother Dwight Richard (Marsha) Coffman and children, Ashley Morrison and Anja (Patrick) Carroll, and her grandchildren: Ellen Morrison, Colin Morrison, Timothy (Kendra) Carroll, and Danny (Jackie) Carroll. Her family, friends, and all who knew her will forever remember her gentle spirit, sweet smile, and the kindness she shared with everyone she met.

A private service will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. In remembrance of Carolyn, memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church Foundation and the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools.

Please share your memories of Carolyn by posting in her guestbook.