Caroline Gracey Sheffer Obituary

Caroline Gracey Sheffer died peacefully in her home in Flagstaff, Arizona on Sunday, March 16, 2025, after several years struggling with dementia. She leaves behind her loving son Daniel Brinton Sheffer II, daughters Geordie Ellen Sheffer, Sara Gracey Handwerk, Katherine Suhr, Margaret Louise Lambeck, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

Caroline was born on December 6, 1932, in Port Washington, New York and later lived in Penn Yan, New York. She attended Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland where she graduated with a liberal arts degree. There, she became passionate about playing the piano. Caroline's senior year at Goucher College, she traveled to tour Europe in 1953 on the M/S Stockholm where she attended summer school at the University of Vienna.

After graduating from Goucher College in 1954, Caroline met her husband, Herman Weaver Sheffer, in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was attending Johns Hopkins University. They married on March 22, 1955, in Penn Yan, New York. After welcoming her first three children in Baltimore, a daughter joined the family in Socorro, New Mexico and another daughter in Salt Lake City, Utah. Caroline moved across the country several times before ultimately settling and found her love for the southwest.

Caroline continued her education in receiving her bachelor's degree in Music at the University of New Mexico and her Master's in Music from New Mexico State University. Caroline's passion for music led her to the Indian reservation, where she taught children the joy of music, eventually finding her way to the Grand Canyon, where she continued to share her love for the arts with all who crossed her path.
Caroline was deeply respected and loved by her many friends and shared her love of travel and music with her children. She was also known for her exceptional baking, always bringing homemade cookies to her church.

The daughter of Mr. Lewis Adolphe Gracey and Mrs. Georgia Brown Gracey, she leaves behind a loving family and many cherished friends who will deeply miss her.

A Celebration of Life still to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a local charity.