LANCASTER—Carol Gardner Shear, 78, of Lancaster died February 25, 2022 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Carol was born in Reading, Pa., on December 14, 1943, to Roy and Dorothy Gardner, both deceased. She is also predeceased by Dr. Charles R. “Chuck” Shear, her husband of 44 years.
Carol grew up in Marblehead, Mass. where she developed her life-long passion for sailing. Upon graduation from high school she attended Marietta College in Ohio where she earned a bachelor of science and went on to Columbia University where she earned a master’s in marine science. While at Columbia she met Chuck Shear and they married in December 1966.
After three years in England and then a period in Atlanta, Ga., they moved to the Baltimore, Md., suburbs, where Carol taught biology in the Anne Arundel school system. While living in Maryland they kept their sailboat, Kittiwake, in Annapolis; summers were spent aboard from Maine to Florida.
After retiring they moved to the Northern Neck, settling in Eagle Landing. They were active in the Indian Creek Yacht Club for many years. She and Chuck traveled extensively in Africa on photo safaris, capturing stunning pictures.
After her husband’s passing, Carol continued her explorations to remote areas of the world with her travel companion, Pat Marron, using Natural Habitat Tours and other wildlife-oriented organizations.
Carol was a member of the Rappahannock Garden Club since 1999. She became a Master Gardener and advisor for the Shoreline Evaluation Program on controlling erosion. She was also a serious mahjongg player.
She leaves behind her loving companion and advocate Norman Kubala and her beloved Welsh Pembroke Corgi, Kibo. Carol was fiercely independent to the point of Norm often teasing her that she had a “PhD from Stubborn University.”
Sincere gratitude goes to Dr. Singh Sahni and staff at the Gamma Knife Surgical Center at Johnston Willis Hospital where multiple brain procedures were performed. Also to Dr. Richard Hall of the UVA Medical Center, who coordinated her chemotherapy program. Friends, neighbors and nurses who supported Carol during her final chapter are very much appreciated.
In accordance with Carol’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Burial will be private.
