Carol Belle Blanning, born August 31, 1916, died peacefully on August 4, 2015 in Concord, MA, with family at her side, just short of her 99th birthday. Born and raised in the coal-mining town of Williamstown, PA, Carol was the eldest child of Charles F. Blanning and Carol M. Bressler. Valedictorian of her high school class, Carol graduated during the Great Depression. With no funds for college, where she surely would have excelled, Carol attended secretarial school in Philadelphia. She joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served in Georgia training Navy pilots (LITIS). After discharge, she drove cross-county with her close group of Navy friends, making sure to sign in at the required intervals at the G.I. job placement centers as they criss-crossed the country. Ultimately landing in San Francisco, she found work there, sharing an apartment with a Navy friend, but later returned East. Settling in Lansdowne, PA, for over 30 years, she worked as a legal secretary/assistant in Philadelphia, while caring for her mother. Beginning with the firm of former Philadelphia Mayor Dilworth (Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish, & Dilks), she retired in 1981 as Office Manager at Kohn, Swift & Graf, P.C. Carol had lifelong interests in music, art, archeology, natural history, evolution and ancient civilization which captivated her mind and filled her bookshelves. Throughout her life, on into her 90's, she embarked on numerous travel adventures, with a particular love for the U.S. National Parks. Her trips to the Canadian Northwest, Peru, and elsewhere, provided her an opportunity to stretch her naturally curious intellect, and expand her collections of art and small figures, as she delved into the history and culture of far-away lands and times . At the same time, Carol was also a person of great constancy - maintaining her bridge group, her Navy friendships, and her home each for more than 50 years. She and her family celebrated her 90th birthday with a trip to Crater Lake National Park and Alaska. She lived independently in her own home, with the support of her caring neighbors, and did her own taxes, up to age 95. In 2011, Carol moved from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, following major abdominal surgery, taking her first ride in a Winnebago to make the trip. She lived her remaining years first in the Deaconess Abundant Life community in Concord MA, first in an apartment at Newbury Court, and for the last 17 months at the Rivercrest Wellness and Rehabilitation facility. She was assisted in her final years by a circle of caregivers, her sister Louise, and her niece Anne, who bestowed compassion and attention, for which Carol was graciously thankful. Carol was pre-deceased by her parents, and her brothers Charles (1918), Richard (1927), and Robert (1998). She is survived by her sister, Louise (Blanning) Bickford, and her devoted nieces and nephews, including the Bickfords (James (Lisa) and Stephen of Denver, CO; Susan (Dan Nannini) of Culver City, CA; Anne (Allen Marshall) of Bedford, MA, and Geoff (Kathy Dobson) of Jacksonville, FL) and the Blannings (Ken (Jill) and Lisa (Charlie Griggs) of Orlando, FL; Virginia of Mooresville, NC; and Linda of Fort Pierce, FL) and their children, who adored and admired her and will forever be inspired by her intellect, integrity, curiosity, independence, and keen sense of humor. Services and interment will be private. Contributions in Carol's memory may be made to the Women's War Memorial (www.womensmemorial.com), Earthjustice (www.Earthjustice.org), or Williamstown Historical Society, Williamstown PA 17098.