Carol's Memorial Information

CAROL FRENCH DOUGHTY (1963-2009)Carol Doughty, 45, died in Helsingborg Sweden, May 14, asleep and at peace when her struggle with cancer ceased. The daughter of Polly and Paul Doughty and older sister of Tom, Carol was born in Lima, Peru in 1963 where her father was working for Cornell University. She grew up in Bloomington Indiana and Gainesville where her family moved in 1971. She attended JJ Finley school and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1981. She was an eager student, active in Keyettes, Model United Nations, Spanish Club and winning letters with the swimming and soccer teams. While at GHS and later in university she participated in student exchange programs in Peru. She graduated from Indiana University in 1985, majoring in Latin American Studies/ Spanish and Anthropology and took a job in the center of Los Angeles as a primary school teacher, a job that she loved. Carol earned a Masters degree in education at Long Beach State, and was a mentor teacher in bi-lingual education in two Los Angeles schools, specializing in teaching kindergarten and first grade pupils. Always outspoken and never short of ideas, she also was elected by her peers to represent them in the United Teachers of LA County Union. In the summer of 1995 on a trip to Peru with her parents, Carol took an ecological tour to the Manu Rain Forest, where she met her future husband, Bo Nilsson, from Sweden. She married Bo, living in the town of Perstorp where Nilsson is employed as an industrial chemist. Carol resumed teaching primary grades in Slottshöjdens Skola, an international school in the city of Helsingborg where she taught English, Spanish and art. In 2002 her daughter, Maya was born. In Sweden she was an active participant in the American Women’s club, book club and home gardening activities. She enjoyed reading, travel, handicrafts and photography. She always sent in her absentee ballot for elections. Carol enjoyed a large network of friends, eventually starting a blog communicating with high school friends in Lima and Gainesville, quilters, many colleagues and even some of her early first grade students and others of all ages around the Americas and the world. She was helping to organize her GHS forthcoming class reunion. All knew her to be a caring, creative and enthusiastic person. Her parents Polly and Paul Doughty, brother Tom Doughty of Gainesville, her husband Bo Nilsson and daughter of 7 years, Maya Doughty Nilsson in Perstorp, Sweden, love and miss her greatly. Carol loved teaching and working with children and was devoted to her profession. The family has started two Memorials recognizing her interest in Latin America and to commemorate her dedication to education and to sustain her strong belief that teaching was an indispensable calling in support of society and nation.A memorial service was held in Perstorp where she is at rest in the community cemetery. Her memorial service in Gainesville will be held for her at the Society of Friends (Quaker) Meeting House at 702 NW 38th Street, on Saturday August 1 at 3pm.