Carolyn G Reid

Carolyn Griffin Reid, devoted wife, loving mother, and grandmother peacefully passed away on June 28, 2022.  Carolyn, 83, was born on January 12, 1939 in Seattle, Washington to Eugene F. Griffin & Margaret Thomas Griffin.   Carolyn attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart/Forest Ridge Convent and later was a cheerleader at Franklin High School.  She attended the University of Washington where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. 

She was married to the love of her life, John, for 57 wonderful and adventurous years before his death in 2019.    It was at the University of Washington that Carolyn first met John.  Shortly before their wedding John was transferred for work to Sacramento, CA and she would then join him in their new home and start a family.  Carolyn is lovingly survived by her children, Margo Brown(Rick), Maria Vail (Brian) and Griff Reid(Christy) and eight grandchildren, Carolina and Catie Brown; Reid, Jacqueline and Christina Vail; and Ashley, Johnny and Scarlet Reid.  She is preceded in death by her brother, J. Michael (Mike) Griffin of Seattle, WA.

When Carolyn found herself in a new city as a newlywed and new mother, she didn’t hesitate to immerse herself in the community and organizations to make friends and make a positive impact on the city she now called home.  In doing so, she gave so much of her time she often called herself a “professional volunteer” and that was true!  The one word you never heard Carolyn say was “no”.   She was involved in so many organizations over the years including President of the Junior League of Sacramento, Founding Board Member of The Sacramento Regional Community Foundation, first woman President of Mercy Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors, Jesuit High School Board of Directors, The Downtown Rotary Club of Sacramento, and she was even named Sacramentan of the Year in 1986 with her good friend, Biba Caggiano, for their efforts to raise funds to help the flood victims.

The most significant efforts surrounded leveraging resources and people to make a significant impact and improve our community.  The two day event opening of the Sacramento Hyatt Regency raised more than $1M for the Sacramento Arts Community, the opening of the Nordstrom Store at Arden Fair raised funds for an endowment at the Junior League, and the greatest of all was the leverage of 32 (16 men, 16 women) community and business leaders in the establishment of the Sacramento Club in the newly constructed Well Fargo Building.  Whether it be a fundraiser, position on a board, chairing an event or establishing a new business and social club, Carolyn was always leading the charge.

All these positions had one thing in common, the city and people of Sacramento were always the beneficiaries.  Everything Carolyn put her mind to she accomplished with enthusiasm.  Carolyn had a goal to give back far more than she had been given; she accomplished this ten times over.  Her passion, hard work, and commitment to all that she loved will positively impact current and future generations to come. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on August 4, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11:00am.  The family wishes to thank her many caregivers who made her last couple of years dignified, joyful and peaceful.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mercy McMahon Terrace where she resided her last few years,  The Sacramento Regional Foundation, The Alzheimer’s Association, or Sacred Heart Church or a charity of your choosing.