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Carolyn L. (Beckman) Stitson passed away on September 3, 2026, in Boston, surrounded by family, after 76 full and giving years.
Carolyn was born and raised in Malden and Melrose and lived the rest of her life in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The Catholic faith that Carolyn learned from the nuns at St. Joseph School in Malden shaped her in many ways, perhaps especially in helping her triumph over diabetes for 61 years. Carolyn was proud that she did not let her illness stand in her way. Instead, she worked tirelessly and joyfully at MIT for five decades, delighted to participate in the work behind moon flights and genetic research.
She was thrilled to meet her future husband at a dance in rural Maine. That meeting led to a 56-year marriage and three wonderful daughters to whom Carolyn was dedicated. She especially enjoyed traveling with her family to Maine, Vermont, New York, Britain and Continental Europe.
In her retirement years Carolyn found a new joy in spending time with her two grandchildren, supporting and encouraging them in every way she could. She did indeed live a full and caring life, and she will be missed by all.
Carolyn is survived by her husband Carl Stitson; her daughter Jessica Stitson; her daughter Julia Fehmel and her husband Erik Fehmel, her daughter Johanna Stitson and her husband Marc Langthorne; her grandchildren Max and Grace Fehmel, and her brother Carl Beckman and his wife Jill Vendituoli.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay respects and share memories during visitation hours to be held at the Weir-MacCuish Funeral Home, 144 Salem St, Malden between 5:00 and 8:00 PM on Thursday, September 10. You are also invited to join in the celebration of Carolyn’s life at the funeral mass to be held at the St. Joseph Church, 770 Salem St, Malden at 12 noon on September 11. A private interment will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Carolyn L. Stitson may be made to Joslin Diabetes Center by visiting giving.bilh.org/joslindiabetescenter/ or by check made payable to “Joslin Diabetes Center” with “Carolyn L. Stitson” in the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to JDC Gift Processing, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129.
