Carolyn Anne (Proctor) Crosby, 82, died January 15, 2024 in her home in Akron, surrounded by her family.

Carol was born on November 19, 1941 to Robert and Lucille (Hines) Proctor in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Proctor family moved to Denver in 1945. While in Denver, Carol became friends with Mary Louise. They were closer than sisters, and remained close friends no matter how far apart they lived. They shared a love of music, especially opera, and a love of Mexican food. Mary Louise said Carol was very talented in music and ballet, but did not receive much training. She was protective of Mary Louise, as they lived in a rough area. She spent most of her time in Mary Louise's home, and was treated like family. Mary Louise said Carol was the most beautiful person in the world. The only bad thing they ever did was to sneak some of their parent's cigarettes, and take them to the Woodberry Library. They smoked behind the bushes and felt very cool. Things changed when she met Don. Carol was smitten.

Carol married Don Crosby on January 14, 1962, in her parents' home in Denver. It was attended by Carol's parents (Robert and Lucille) and her best friend Mary Louise. Also present were Don's parents (Percy and Belle Crosby) and his brother Ronnie Crosby. Don and Carol just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Don remembers when they first got married, neither of them knew much about cooking and made some messes. Their first apartment did not include a bathroom. They had to share a bathroom with the other tenants. One day, they were boiling some eggs for dinner. Carol noticed the bathroom was free. They both got their shower items together, and hurried to the bathroom. Unfortunately, they forgot about the eggs. When Carol and Don got back to the apartment, they found the water had completely evaporated, and the eggs had exploded all over the kitchen. Carol's cooking improved greatly over the years, and they were able to afford their own home after Don started working at Rocky Flats.

Carol raised three children, Gerald, Eric, and Laura in Thornton, CO. She shared her enthusiasm for Reading, Games, Opera, Classical music, and Museums. She would read to her children on most nights including Lord of the Rings, and the Wizard of Oz series. Wizard of Oz was her favorite, and she collected Oz memorabilia throughout her years. Although she did not like to drive, Carol would take her children by bus to experience Ballets, Operas, and Museums in person. Carol loved to play games up to the day before she died. It was one of the ways the family bonded together.

Carol and Don moved to Akron Colorado June 1991 to begin a new stage of her life. She was given a piano that was handed down from Don's Grandma Cora Reed. Music classes in school taught Carol how to read both Treble and Bass Clef while she was still young. She often said this was God's way of preparing her to play and write piano music in her later years.

Carol began piano lessons with Henriette Uhlenhopp. She took joy in this new found friendship, and found she had the ability to write piano music. Every day Carol would share her love for the Lord, and writing music for the church gave her another way to show her devotion to God.

The Trinity Lutheran Church was a place of comfort. She had a kind and joyful heart, and made friends everywhere she went. This included the David Walsh Cancer Center and Five Stars Restaurant.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Lucille Proctor, and her brother Robert Proctor and his wife Shirley. Carol is survived by her husband, Donald Crosby, and their children Gerald (Susan) Crosby of Coleman, Wisconsin; Eric (Sherry) Crosby of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Laura Ellis of Temple, Texas. Surviving grandchildren and great grandchildren are: Mathew Crosby of Arvada, CO, Allison (Richard) Dechant, Emma and Ethan of Aurora, CO, Christopher (Cecelia) Ellis and Taylor of MacGregor, TX; Nicholas Ellis of Temple, TX, and Daniel Crosby of Cheyenne, WY.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church.  Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Akron, or to the David Walsh Cancer Center, 615 Fairhurst St. Sterling, CO 80751.  Donate here: https://www.bannerhealth.com/ways-to-give/foundations/sterling

The David Walsh Cancer Center is also in need of puzzles and board games which can be dropped off in person.