Obituary of Carolyn O'Brien Larsson

Carolyn O'Brien Larsson, long-time resident of Niskayuna, New York, dies at 91.

Musician, Educator, Wife, Mother, Grandmother.

Carolyn Larsson was born and grew up in Geneva, New York, the daughter of Minnie and Frederic O'Brien and sister to Eunice and Janet. She graduated from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam as a qualified music teacher, a vocation she carried throughout her life and into retirement. Carolyn married Robert Larsson of Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1953; they were together for 60 years until his passing in 2013. Together they raised five children, Eric (Kara Riedesel), Jane, William (deceased), Mark, and Jeffrey Larsson. Music making was her joy, one she passed along to her three grandchildren, Meagan Hughes, Sarah Larsson (Rafa Kern), and Meers Larsson.

Carolyn's adult life focused on raising her five children, but she was equally devoted to volunteer work, serving as youth choir director at Presbyterian parishes in Potsdam, New Hartford, and Schenectady, New York. At home, she hosted annual Christmas caroling parties for neighbors and friends, adults and children alike, ensuring each family left with a homemade Swedish coffeecake. She returned to work later in life as Director of Christian Education at the First Reformed church of Schenectady, New York. Her love of music led her to take on up to 20 piano students weekly even through retirement, teaching children and adults at home. Following the death of her beloved husband 'Bob' in 2013, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, home of sons Eric and Mark, where she spent the last years of her life at the Jones-Harrison Residence nearby.

Carolyn loved children and animals, but above all, she loved community, opening her home to her children's friends, who recall even today with great fondness her presence, guidance, and baking. Her final resting place will be next to her husband Robert, in Seaside Cemetery in Lanesville, Massachusetts. She is also remembered by her nieces and nephews, Raymond Tills of Texas, Patricia Bell of Texas, Ted Rodgers of Washington state, Dave (Marion) Rodgers of Virginia, David (Alice) Dow and Carol (Skip) Russell of Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to can make donations in her name to the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam (https://www.potsdam.edu/giving) to help perpetuate her life-long love of music.