Carolyn M. Pearson Graham Volk

She was born December 21, 1931, in Jamestown, NY to the late John and Dorothy Casselman Pear-son. She was predeceased by her husband, Dennis F. Volk, on May 16, 2020.

She was a graduate of Jamestown High School with the Class of 1949.She served on many of the class reunions. Her parents did not believe in girls going on to college, so she gained her education by entering the working world.

She raised four children, participating in all of their activities they were involved in. She was a PTA Life member of Bush School PTA. Was a Girl Scout leader for many years, as well as a Cub Scout Den Mother.

She made most all of her children’s clothing for many years, as well as the girls’ wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.

When all of the children were in school, she went to work at Sherman Bros Furniture show room in the Furniture Mart building, until the factory closed. For many years she served as the Republican Committee Representative for the Swede Hill District.

Mayor Charles Magnuson appointed her Civil Defense Director for the City of Jamestown in 1969. She held this position all through the construction of the new City Hall. She later took the position of Assistant Manager at the new Chautauqua Mall, being the first woman hired and promoted to Manager by the DeBartolo Company in 1974.

Carolyn worked on the original Committee to save the Fenton Mansion from being demolished during the reconstruction of the Brooklyn Square. She served as the first Membership committee chair for the Newly formed Fenton Historical Society.

In 1977, she moved to the Pittsburgh area with her husband and youngest son. There, Carolyn became involved in many of the Marshall Township activities, serving as the Chairman of the Township Recreation Commission, working to establish a new Township Park for the residents. She was a member of the Marshall Republican Committee, also served as an Election Inspector for several years. She was a member of the North Hills Passavant Hospital Women’s Aux.

Carolyn established a business of repairing antique wicker and reweaving woven seats in antique furniture. Along with that business she taught Seat Weaving classes at Allegheny Community College.

Father Christmas dolls were her passion. She sculpted the head for her figures from a picture of her grandfather. She made the mold, poured her own porcelain faces for all of her figures that she sold at many Christmas shows from Pittsburgh to Florida. For two years she won First Place in a national doll contest.

Returning to the Jamestown area in 1985, she again became involved in the community activities by donating many of her handicraft pieces to organizations looking to raise funds. Many of her beautiful crafts and artistic creations were donated to “Take a Seat Auction,” Jamestown Chapter of the D.A.R., “What’s New Fair,” Child Advocacy Program, which were some of the very many organizations in the area she helped to support.

She and her husband were Volunteer Guides at the I-86 Rest area for 10 years. They were also members of the First Lutheran Church,

Carolyn took a renewed interest in the Jamestown Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution, becoming the Regent for five years. During that time, she also served as Chairman on the State and the National level, serving as Genealogical Records Indexing Chairman. She was Honored by the Jamestown Chapter for her contributions to the DAR organization with a special recognition for 50 years of continued membership, with 4 Patriots proven to have served in the American Revolution.

The Robert H. Jackson Center was just being created and as Regent of the DAR Carolyn felt the two organizations had similar ideals. She became one of the first Volunteer Docents at the Jackson Center, serving 10 years as a volunteer, during which time she established the first brochure to explain the Center.

Carolyn worked on the Committee for the Audubon Nature Arts Festival organizing Volunteers and as the Publicity chairman, for several years.

Being of Swedish ancestry, she took interest in Swedish Weaving, a subject that she taught at the monthly Saturday Scandinavian Culture classes held at JCC. She was a member of the Women’s Norden Club.

She was appointed by Mayor Sam Teresi to serve on the Veterans Committee for years, in which they moved and reconstructed the Veterans Memorial Park to the West end of Third Street.

She served as Secretary and member of the Kiantone Zoning Board of Appeals for many years and was an Election Inspector for many years and a Member of the Kiantone Republican committee.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dennis Volk, of 40 years, a son, Richard C. Graham, Jr. Surviving are her children Barbara Ready (Gordon) of Boynton Beach, Fla.; Cynthia DiNapoli, (Ronald) of Jamestown; James Graham (Katherine) of Pittsburgh, Pa; 12 Grandchildren and 16 Great-Grandchildren; also 3 stepsons, Kenneth Volk, Celoron, NY; Arthur Volk (Wanda), Celoron, NY; Dennis L. Volk (Nicholine) of Atlanta, Ga, and two step Grandsons.

The funeral service for Carolyn will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Lind Funeral Home. Reverend Mark Swanson will officiate. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 4-7pm Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and for one hour prior to the service, from 12-1pm Wednesday at Lind’s. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined, however if one wishes to make a donation to the Jamestown Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution or to the Robert H. Jackson Center, please do so by sending the donations to The Community Foundation in the names of these organizations.

To leave words of condolence, please visit lindfuneralhome.com.