Carol Ann (Bears) Kendrick, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at the High Pointe House in Haverhill, Massachusetts surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Richard N. Kendrick, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage.

Carol was born in Boston on December 16,1935 to the late Annie Bella (Macpherson) Bears and Murdoch Bruce Bears. Carol grew up in Stoneham, Massachusetts and was the third of six siblings.

Carol graduated from Plymouth Teachers College in New Hampshire in 1957 . She began her long teaching career in North Reading, Massachusetts and taught for many years at the Central School in West Newbury before becoming the first principal of the John C. Page School in 1982. She loved teaching and mentoring young teachers, even long after she retired. Her teaching colleagues were many of her closest friends; she had many fond memories of trips with the "Loonies" to Peaks Island and Loon Mountain.

She enjoyed the many trips shared with her siblings and her family, particularly visiting Prince Edward Island and Helen and Terry's home in Florida. Visiting Highland Lake with her family in the summer was one of the most joyous occasions. She cherished her many nieces and nephews and their growing families. Carol and her husband Richard made their home in West Newbury, Massachusetts where she sang in the choir at The Congregational Church. She made many lifelong friends in her church community.

Carol leaves her daughter Dianne McLaren and her husband Scott, her daughter Lisa Nichols and her husband Jeff. She was the beloved grandmother of Drew (Kathleen), Kelsey (Caleb), Melissa (Kelvin), Mindy, Dante (Alexa), Maria, Anthony, Jeffrey, and Angelia. She also cherished her 7 great grandchildren, Hattie and Henry McLaren, Alice and Milo Cruz, Lincoln Scott McVey, and Althea and Lucca Valenzi. Carol loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly and she had a bond with each one of them. Her smile was radiant whenever she was with them. She also leaves her brother Paul Bears and his wife Janet, her dear friend and colleague Peggy McLure. Carol and Richard enjoyed many adventures with Peggy and her late husband Milt . She also leaves her friend and son-in-law James Valenzi.

Carol was predeceased by her sisters, Jessie Halpin (Don), Helen Hayes (Terry), and Annabelle Cashell, and her brother Isaac Bruce Bears (Sally). Carol loved her brothers, sisters, and all of her in-laws dearly.

One of Carol's greatest gifts was her ability to see individual strengths and treat everyone with kind respect. The family wishes to thank Carol's granddaughter Maria and her niece Mary for the love and supportive care they have provided for her during her many health challenges. They would also like to thank her doctors and nurses, particularly on the second floor at Anna Jacques Hospital, as well as the entire staff at High Pointe House.

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 AM relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Carol's Life at the Congregational Church, on Main Street in West Newbury MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol's name to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.