Carolyn E. Johns

Carolyn "Carrie" Elaine Johns, 70, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2024, while a resident at United Helpers Maplewood facility in Canton. The daughter of Allan and Anne Johns, she was born on January 1, 1954, in Holden, Massachusetts, and graduated from Colby College before earning her PhD in botany from the University of Montana. After post-doctoral research as an environmental scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey in California, and a brief stint teaching at Deep Springs College also in California, she joined the environmental studies department at St. Lawrence University in 1988. At SLU, Carrie taught a wide variety of courses, chaired the department for a number of years, and was named the Grace J. Fippinger Professor of Sciences. She greatly enjoyed her research, which focused on heavy metals in mussels of the St. Lawrence River. She published academic articles and traveled broadly to present her findings. Carrie retired as Professor Emeritus from SLU in 2018.

Carrie lived in Waddington where she found pleasure in gardening, raising sheep, and renovating her historic stone house built in the early 1800s. She often traveled to Silver Bay on Lake George, the retirement home of her parents and a place of joyful childhood memories. She loved science fiction, mysteries, and making yarn from the sheep she raised. She also enjoyed helping out at the Kent Family Farm, when she could during the summer months. Carrie was hard-working, quiet, kind, and generous.

Carrie is survived by her brother, Allan Johns Jr. of Putnam Station, NY; nephew Nate Johns and his wife Rea Belgum, with their sons Evan Johns and Owen Hobbs of LaGrange Park, IL; niece Aryn Barreiro and her husband Jake Barreiro, with their son Zane Barreiro of Fayetteville, NC; and dear friend, Glenn Harris of Lisbon, NY.

The family will hold a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please help honor Carrie through a donation in her name sent to the Environmental Studies Department at St.Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617, or an environmental organization of your choosing.

Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the care of the O'Leary Funeral Service of Canton.