Longtime Alaska resident Carolyn L. McCain, 94, died peacefully of natural causes on Aug. 6 at the Palmer Pioneers Home surrounded by family. A private service is planned for the family.

Carolyn was born May 9, 1915 in Walworth County, Wis., to Arthur and Grace Lindow. She lived in northern Wisconsin from age 4 until she attended Nichols Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Battle Creek, Mich., where she became a registered nurse. She married Denzil E. McCain on July 12, 1940 on a ferry crossing the Straits of Mackinac between Lower and Upper Michigan. Prior to moving to Anchorage in 1955, the first 21 years of her nursing career were spent in southern Michigan. In 1956, she started work in the nursery at the old Providence Hospital on L Street. She continued for the next 21 years at Providence tending to more than 20,000 babies. In commemorating her service, an Alaska Airlines brag was: “I have changed over a half million diapers at Providence Hospital.” As with many Alaskans, Carolyn and Denzil were going to spend a couple of years in Alaska and stayed the remainder of their lives.

After their retirements, Carolyn and Denzil, spent many winters in Yuma, Ariz., and traveled throughout the U.S. and foreign countries. In 1998 they moved from the Sand Lake area in Anchorage to Nancy Lake next door to their son, Bob. Carolyn was recognized for her many hours of volunteering at the Willow Elementary School. In addition to enjoying her family, she was an avid gardener and reader. Carolyn was devoted to her husband, three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Denzil passed away in July 1999 after 59 years of marriage; her parents and brother, Robert, preceded her in death. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Al Olson, of Anchorage; sons and daughters-in-law, Ed and Brenda McCain of Willow, and Bob and Mary McCain of Nancy Lake; grandchildren, Diana Olson of Seattle, Tom McCain, Jennifer and Kevin Luce, Lisa and Matt Graham, Wendy and Rick Taylor all of Wasilla, and Denny McCain of Nancy Lake; great-grandchildren Lane, Kade and Cole Taylor and Reed, Mary and Lacy Graham all of Wasilla; and siblings Mary Desens, Leona Stapel, and Tom Lindow all of Wisconsin.

Memorial donations can be made to the Palmer Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home-AVPH Resident Council Fund, 250 E. Fireweed, Palmer, AK 99645 or the donor’s favorite charity. The family would like to thank the Palmer Pioneer Home for its loving care of Carolyn.