Carol Houghtaling ’58 Brinkerhoff

Carol Eleanor Brinkerhoff sang into the next life on Sunday, August 14, 2022. She rejoiced each day of this life with her husband and travel buddy of 64 years, Jim Brinkerhoff, and their life together was full of music of all sorts.

She was born in Newburgh, N.Y. on July 2, 1936, to Harold and Eleanor Houghtaling. Carol grew up in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York State, along with her sister Sue Houghtaling Smith. At Liberty High School, in Liberty, N.Y., Carol met the love of her life, Jim, who she would marry after their graduation, in 1958. Carol made the courageous decision to leave New York and pursue her bachelor’s degree at Hope College in Holland, MI, from which she graduated in 1958. Carol’s world travels began with her study abroad in Vienna.

Carol and Jim then pursued the first of their many world travels together, when they moved to Heilbronn, Germany with the U.S. Army in 1958. Carol and Jim began their family, having three children in three years, Zoe Brinkerhoff Wells, Derek Peter Brinkerhoff, and Laura Brinkerhoff Young. They soon after returned to Painted Post, New York, where Jim was employed by Ingersoll Rand Engineering. Carol’s busy life included working as a teacher, volunteering at the hospital, singing in choirs, Girl Scout leadership, and dedicated service to the Presbyterian Church (USA). She served Christ and her community, as an elder, deacon, choir member and teacher, both at First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, N.Y. and later at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Va. Upon Jim’s retirement from Cornell University, they searched and found an appealing and Warm home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Carol’s other great joy was caring for and delighting in the company of her four grandchildren, Anna Young, Daniel Brinkerhoff Young, James Wells, and Cassidy Wells, taking them on many special outings. They enjoyed together theater, music, and nature. She only missed a music performance or sports event if she were off on travels.

Our mother had an easy acceptance for all people and shared her skills with all who asked. She taught people both formally and informally. She was a lover of animals, especially horses, cats, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Carol loved her children’s partners as her own. Ken Young, Barbara Brinkerhoff and Rob Wells. She would also like us to remember her special cousins that meant very much to her.Carol Houghtaling ’58 Brinkerhoff
Aug. 14, 2022, Charlottesville, Virginia