Carol Anderson Sandahl

Carol Anderson (Norcross) Sandahl, age 80, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at her home in Walpole, Massachusetts with loved ones at her side. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on May 23, 1944, she was the daughter of Winston and Ruth (Anderson) Norcross. Carol was raised in East Walpole, Massachusetts along with her older sister Nancy, who called her “Butchy”, a name given to her by her father when she was born. Her father was a dentist who had been recruited to East Walpole by the Bird family to support the community and the many workers of his business. He was well loved and in turn, Carol and Nancy were treated like little princesses, very much doted upon in their neighborhood and when they visited Winston in his practice at the Bird Clocktower. The family were also devoted congregants at Union Congregational Church in East Walpole where, as a child, Carol would make many lifelong friends.

After Carol graduated from Walpole High School with the class of 1961, she attended the Henry O. Peabody School of Hairdressing in Norwood, from which she received a certificate. She quickly found employment in South Norwood and became a favorite hairdresser for those in Norwood’s Syrian community.

One of the many friends that Carol made through the church was Kenneth Warren Sandahl. Ken lived close to Carol and as the pair grew older, love blossomed between them. On June 2, 1963, Carol and Ken, the love of each other’s lives, were wed at the place that brought them together, the Union Congregational Church in East Walpole. Carol and Ken made their married home initially in an apartment on Common Street in Walpole before purchasing a quaint four room ranch in town. That four-room ranch would experience many changes over the years, including the addition of a second floor and expansion to ten rooms. This was all necessary to accommodate their growing family as Carol and Ken welcomed six children, each child being a blessing and a celebration. With an endless supply of love, motherhood suited Carol perfectly. Each year the children had the greatest homemade Halloween costumes as well as beautiful holiday outfits that Carol would spend hours sewing. As a child herself, Carol spent her summers at the East Sandwich Downs on Cape Cod, and she loved to share this special place with her children as often as they could. She was loving, attentive, and was firm when she had to be, raising her children to be caring and thoughtful people.

In 1975, once all her children had started school, Carol took a position at the Plimpton School in Walpole, where she served as a teacher’s aide in the PUPPI room. Carol offered support with reading and encouraged the children to do the best they could. Outside of work, the Sandahl home became a landing spot for all the children in the neighborhood. Carol became like a second mom to the kids in the community, her house always with an open door. She later left the school but continued to work with children, this time in the setting of her home as a daycare provider. Carol loved to hear the sounds of laughter and little feet running through her home, and this was the perfect job for her. She would be an instrumental part of the community, helping to raise generations of Walpole children.

In 1990, Carol would take on a new role, that of Grammy. She was thrilled beyond compare when she learned she would be a grandmother. There was nothing better than a baby in your arms, and Carol would be blessed many times over with grandchildren, and later great grandchildren, to hold. With the birth of her grandchildren, Carol would look to retire from the home daycare, planning to focus on minding just her grandkids. But Carol could never turn a child away, especially not from someone she knew. She had a hand in raising so many children, and was so deeply loved in her community, which led to Carol knowing many, many people. In the end this led to Carol “retiring” not once, not twice, but three times, as she could not help but say yes to those sweet smiles! Carol remained the neighborhood mom, with a slight change, becoming the neighborhood grandmother.

Carol had a wonderful sense of humor and so much love to share. She was an eternal hostess, welcoming people into her home, and sharing joy with them. She loved to cook and bake, sending her children to school with home made cookies each day. In her later years, Carol and Ken enjoyed doing food tours together, getting inspiration for more delicious meals she would cook at home. During the course of their marriage, Carol and Ken always found ways to spend time together just the two of them, which, for some time, was no simple feat with six children. They made their marriage a priority, strengthening their bonds and showering each other with unwavering support and affection. Sundays were spent at church followed by long afternoon drives, just the two of them. They also enjoyed spending time with friends. The pair took vacations to Marathon in the Florida Keys each year with their friends, with their parents watching the children back at home. They enjoyed going out to dinner, and hosting friends at home. Carol was an eternal hostess, gracious and thoughtful and always prepared welcome guests.

Carol nurtured all the relationships she had made in her life; her relationship with her husband, with her friends, with her children and grandchildren, with the children she cared for, and with her church. She was steadfast in her faith and loved the community she had at Union Congregational. Her faith kept her strong through challenging times and helped her celebrate the rest. She was very active, serving on many committees, attending worship, and being a part of every social event, especially looking forward to picnics and potlucks.

In her later years, Carol and Ken travelled for fun, visiting Ireland as well as National Parks across the United States. They continued their tradition of visiting the Keys, stretching their stays to six weeks at a time during their retirement. She also loved to plan girls’ weekends with her daughters and daughters-in-law. A few memorable trips included going to Pennsylvania to visit Amish country and shop the outlets nearby, returning home with the station wagon filled with fine china and Amish goods. Carol enjoyed staying busy in her community, taking walks around town, and chatting with neighbors and friends. She was always pleased to run into a child from her time at the Plimpton or from her daycare, with these now grown adults just as delighted to catch up with her as she was with them!

Beloved wife of the late Kenneth Warren Sandahl

Loving mother of Adam Sandahl and his wife Heather of Richwood, Ohio, Lynn Golden and her husband Joseph of Walpole, Faith Dewsnap and her husband Michael of Weymouth, Dyan MacLean and her partner Stephen Morin of Hopedale, Ethan Sandahl of North Grafton, and the late Todd Sandahl and his surviving wife Audrey of Colorado

Cherished grandmother of Amber Sandahl, Danielle Urban, Melissa Everett, Joshua Sandahl, Winston Sandahl, Paula Sandahl, Osiel Sandahl, Erika Golden, Jacob Golden, Elizabeth Dewsnap, Mark Dewsnap, Crosby MacLean, Larson MacLean, and Audrey Sandahl; great grandmother of Hayden, Ivy, Adam, Maeve, and Reece

Sister of Nancy Norcross of New Jersey

Also survived by her former son-in-law Barry MacLean, many nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Carol’s Memorial Service on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the Union Congregational Church, 55 Rhoades Avenue, East Walpole, at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carol's name may be made to the Union Congregational Church at 55 Rhoades Avenue, East Walpole, MA 02032 or by visiting https://www.churchbythepark.org/ and selecting ‘donate’.

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.