Carolyn D. Stuart

Carolyn D. Stuart, age 75, a longtime resident of Northville, passed away on March 31, 2026. She was born on March 15, 1951 in Kalamazoo, Michigan; daughter of Glenn and Ruth (Miller) Doonan. Carolyn was united in marriage to James W. Stuart on June 15, 1974; they spent over 51 years together devoted to their family.

Carolyn graduated from Monsignor O’Brien High School in Kalamazoo as a member of the Class of 1969. She went on to attend Michigan State University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech and audiology. She later continued her studies at Eastern Michigan University, earning a second master’s degree in special education.

Carolyn began her career with the Wayne-Westland School District, dedicating 35 years to teaching. She spent 20 of those years at P.D. Graham Elementary School as a fourth- and fifth-grade special education teacher. A truly memorable educator, Carolyn was known for her kindness, patience and sense of humor, touching the lives of her students in meaningful, lasting, and lighthearted ways. She was a proud member of the Michigan Education Association and devoted countless hours to helping others. Carolyn retired from teaching in 2010.

Carolyn had a warm and outgoing personality and seemed to know everyone she met. She was an active member of the Northville Democratic Club and the Northville Historical Society, where she proudly served as past president. Her dedication to preserving and sharing the history of Northville was unparalleled. Her family fondly remembers the many hours spent together volunteering at Mill Race Village, the iconic statue at its entrance was inspired by her vision.

Carolyn was a Master Gardener who took great pride tending to her gardens at home. With the help of her husband, she was honored to receive the prestigious Garden of the Month Award. When she wasn’t gardening, she enjoyed playing pinochle with friends, bowling, and swimming at Schoolcraft College. Carolyn was an avid reader and a passionate collector, amassing treasured collections over the years that included children’s books from her more than 30 years of teaching, holiday decorations, teapots, and Santa Claus figurines. Carolyn was the heart of her family, the one who kept everyone connected, especially during the holidays. She adored her grandchildren, always at the ready to babysit, whisk the kids away for a special weekend, or spend hours reading to them and teaching them all her favorite games. Her unwavering devotion to her family and friends will be deeply missed.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Jim; her sons, Andrew (Melissa) Stuart and Kevin (Marcella) Stuart; her grandchildren, Liam, Lilah, and Henry; her brother, Mark Doonan; her sister-in-law, Frances Soper; and her loyal furry companion Lucy. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Matthew Doonan.

A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held at 761 Thayer, Northville MI on June 7th from 2pm to 5pm. In lieu of flowers, Carolyn would have wanted you to find a locally owned new or used book store to purchase a book, read it, and donate it to a good cause.