Carol Lake of Acton, MA, passed away on December 6, 2025, at the age of 89.
Carol was born on April 21, 1936, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Dorland and Wanda Taylor. She attended Connecticut College for Women.
She married her life partner, Norman Lake, in 1958. After giving birth to her two sons, Carol and Norman settled in Acton in 1965. Over the years, Carol began volunteering at a number of community institutions and organizations, including the Mental Health Association, Eliot Clinic, Community Education Board, and the Doli Atamian Campership Program. She was a founding board member of Acton Friends in Service Helping (FISH). She was also a founding board member of Acton Community Supper. In 1974 she founded and became the Director of the Acton Council on Aging, where she served until her retirement. Carol was an active member of the Acton Congregational Church, serving as its first woman deacon as well as on a number of other church committees.
Carol was always surrounded by her pets — especially large dogs and a variety of cats. In her later years she maintained a variety of bird feeders, which attracted all manner of varieties of wildlife including birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and a large flock of turkeys. She was an avid gardener, growing a wide variety of plants and vegetables in the yard of her Acton home for as long as she was able. For many years she maintained the flowers on the grounds of her church as well. She enjoyed traveling in Canada and Europe and her home was filled with art collected along the way. She was a devoted friend to many in town who appreciated her sense of humor and her viewpoints on topics both personal and political.
Carol is survived by her oldest son, Jeff. She is also survived by her brother Edwin and his wife Bonnie and their sons Stephen and Alec. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Norman, and her youngest son Chris.
A memorial will be held on January 24, 2026 at the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, Acton, MA. at 11:00 A.M.
Donations in Carol’s memory can be made to the Acton Food Pantry.
