Carol Conron (Conron) Wilkes Obituary
Carol Conron Wilkes, 92, of Vero Beach, FL and, more recently, Midlothian, VA, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025. Born in Stamford, CT on February 3, 1933, she was the daughter of the late William and Christine Jansen Conron.
Carol grew up in Stamford, attended Northfield Mount Hermon School for girls, and later graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in art history and political science. After her college graduation, Carol began her career in education, teaching elementary school, before marrying Robert Edmond Wilkes in 1955. Their first years of marriage Bob served in the US Air Force which took them to Tampa, San Antonio and Lubbock, TX. Following Bob’s discharge, the couple returned to Fairfield County, CT, where they raised four children and built a lifetime of close friendships.
While raising her children, Carol was an active member of the local community, serving on PTA committees, as a member of the vestry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and teaching swimming at the local YMCA. As time passed, Bob and Carol moved south, eventually residing in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and later Florida.
Carol had a lifelong interest in the arts. She served as a docent at several art galleries and in her later years, she pursued her passion for oil painting. Her subjects often captured the beauty of animals, coastal scenes, and landscapes from her travels. Carol’s love of the outdoors extended to her enjoyment of tennis and golf, which she played with more emphasis on the social aspect than the competition. Additionally, she found joy in playing bridge with her friends.
Carol’s greatest passion was her family. Known as “Honey” to her close family and their friends, she delighted in gathering everyone for holidays and especially to celebrate their milestone anniversaries. There were family trips to Jamaica, Sea Island, Basin Harbor, and most recently to St. Simon’s Island to celebrate her 90th birthday. She was happiest when surrounded by her children, their spouses, their children and grandchildren.
Carol will be remembered by all who knew her for her engaging personality, sharp wit, creativity, boundless curiosity, and loving nature. She and Bob were married for 66 years until his passing in 2021.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Robert and Elizabeth Wilkes of Raleigh, NC; William Blake and Gibson Wilkes of Vero Beach, FL; Howard and Marigrace Wilkes of Midlothian, VA; and Kimberly (Wilkes) and Wayne Tirrell of Marion, MA; along with 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister, Christine Slagle, and her brothers, Daniel and William Conron.
The Wilkes family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Spring Arbor of Salisbury’s assisted living facility in Midlothian, VA, for their loving care over the past seven months.
In late spring, the entire family will gather in St. Simon’s Island, GA, the location of Carol and Bob’s honeymoon, to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mount Holyoke College, Office of Development, PO Box 889, S. Hadley, MA 01075-0889 or to a charity of your choice.
Carol’s legacy of love, warmth, and laughter will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
