Obituary of Carlyn M. Ernest

Carlyn Margaretta (Young) Ernest died Dec. 20, 2024 at Quarry Hill, a few hours before the arrival of winter. A second-generation Swedish-American, Carlyn was born Dec. 15, 1934, the eldest child of radio engineer (and Matinicus-born) Carl and schoolteacher Evelyn (Ekstrand) Young of Tottenville, N.Y. She grew up on the rural end of Staten Island, being taught to swim in the Kill Van Kull by her Maine-native grandfather, embracing the outdoors as a Camp Fire Girl and singing in the historic Bethel Methodist Church choir. The family traveled to Maine to visit relatives most summers. Carlyn graduated from Tottenville High School with high honors; and summa cum laude from Wagner College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. 

She married C. Eugene Ernest in 1956 (honeymooning in Calais, Maine) and went to work as an R.N. at Richmond Memorial Hospital (now Staten Island University Hospital South), covering a variety of shifts including surgical and pediatric. She worked well into her first pregnancy, “until the patients told me it was time to stop.” She was a mid-century adopter of natural childbirth and breast feeding, and she participated in the national Nurses’ Health Study from its inception. 

In 1963, the couple moved to Cranbury, N.J., where Carlyn was active in the Methodist Church, co-directing its annual antique show. Carlyn and her next-door-neighbor and friend Judy Ozment became Brownie troop leaders when their daughters were young to ensure the youngsters had camping and other outdoor adventures like the Boy Scouts. Carlyn and her husband helped found an Outing Club in town, organizing family beach trips, camping and canoeing, as well as renting a 4-H camp in northern New Jersey off-season. At Christmas time, the Outing Club organized caroling around Cranbury, ending up at the Ernests for a party that included salt dough ornament making for all ages. 

One of Carlyn’s proudest accomplishments was climbing Mt. Washington with her husband, her brother John Young and his then-wife Ayrol. The family as a whole canoed, spending many summer weekends on the water and in tents in the Jersey Pine Barrens and other natural spots, as well as frequenting Island Beach State Park and sailing out of Toms River. Summers also included vacations in Midcoast Maine, often in conjunction with Carlyn’s parents. Carlyn and Gene spent a week aboard the windjammer Stephen Taber when their girls were older. 

Carlyn was a creative homemaker, sewing her girls’ coats and dresses for special occasions; and creating artworks for the home. A skilled gardener, Carlyn grew both flowers and vegetables in the backyard and even raised peanuts one year. Jars of syrup-preserved peaches filled the basement freezer for winter enjoyment. 

When her youngest child entered public school, Carlyn went back to work. She was the Charge Nurse at The Elms nursing home in town, also working at Cranbury Pharmacy and as a librarian at Cranbury Public Library. The latter reflected a lifelong love of reading. In later years, as her eyesight failed, Carlyn listened to books from Camden Public Library, remarking that she had read much faster than audiobooks are. 

In 1973, the family bought a small camp on Coleman Pond in Lincolnville — having hiked in to see it during spring break — and thereafter traded their camping trips for weeks at the pond. As their daughters headed into their own lives, Carlyn and Gene traveled around the world. They moved to Camden in 1987, alternating seasons in Maine and Belle Isle, S.C., for a decade. In 1997, the couple moved to Tenants Harbor, overlooking Ripley Creek. Carlyn was a member of garden clubs and created wonderful home gardens wherever she lived. 

While in St. George, Carlyn was a member of the Port Clyde Rockettes, a group of women who had met a few years earlier as part of the Red Hat Society. The Rockettes, begun by Mary Root, met twice a week for exercise at the Port Clyde Baptist Church, led by Barbara Haupt. Carlyn also did chair yoga in Tenants Harbor with Toni Small. 

In 2018, following hip surgery, Carlyn and Gene moved to an independent apartment at Quarry Hill. Carlyn participated in Quarry Hill’s book club and, after Gene’s death in 2020 and as pandemic restrictions began to ease, became a member of the residents’ Executive Council, applying her knowledge and passion to advocate for her Anderson Inn compatriots. She led efforts to decorate the lobby area for holidays, posted cartoons on the hall bulletin board to amuse passersby and provided the casual “4 o’clock” gathering with fodder for discussion and TV movie updates. 

Although heart and hip surgery slowed her pace in the last third of her life and her vision diminished dramatically, Carlyn’s intellectual curiosity and spirit were undimmed. She insisted for years she didn’t want to live past 90; she died, in her own bed with family at her side and in spirit, five days after that birthday gathering. 

Carlyn was predeceased by her husband, brother and parents. She is survived by daughters Dagney Ernest (Bill Eberle) of Thomaston, Melissa Aul (Jerry) of Rice Lake, Wis., Kriste Ernest (Ron Smith) of Rockland, brother-in-law Don Ernest (Carol) of Smyrna, Del., cousin Laurie Ekstrand of Silver Springs, Md., three grandchildren and their spouses, two great-grandsons, and friends at Quarry Hill and farther afield. She will be sorely missed. 

Carlyn donated annually to Pope Memorial Humane Society and Planned Parenthood; gifts in her honor are welcomed.