Caroline Stearns Wilkins McDonough – July 4, 1931-July 15, 2021
Caroline McDonough was born in Pawtucket, RI, the only daughter of Orrin Eugene Wilkins and Victoria Tornquist Wilkins. She grew up in Medfield, Mass. and graduated in 1952 from Colby College, where she began her lifelong love affair with the theater, which continued through a marriage of 62 years to Richard Doyle McDonough and three children, who were born in Mexico where she and Dick lived for eight years. During the 1960s and 1970s Caroline orchestrated many moves as the family traveled across the Atlantic six times as Dick took up positions with General Electric, the Singer Company, and Bowater in New York, Scotland, Germany, and England, eventually settling in Old Greenwich in 1979.
Caroline was a beautiful and gracious woman, entertaining those around her with her keen sense of humor and a flare for the dramatic. She hosted Mexico City After Dark, a radio show where she interviewed, amongst others, James Michener and Frank Sinatra. Caroline joined or started theater groups everywhere she lived; attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London; was President of Cameo Theater in Old Greenwich, Connecticut; directed and starred in The Importance of Being Earnest, Mourning Becomes Electra, Coriolanus, The Lion in Winter, Mary Stuart and Dirty Work at the Crossroads, to name a few of her favorites. Caroline founded The Great Pretenders theater group after relocating in 1996 to Harbour Ridge in Palm City, Fla. Caroline was loved by her family, her many friends world-wide, and the multitude of people whose lives she touched.
Caroline is survived by her daughter Lisa O’Neill and her husband Sean of Palm City, Fla.; her son Richard David McDonough and his wife Katrina Killian of Falls Village, CT; her son Philip Bradford McDonough and his wife Kristina of St. Petersburg, Fla; and her beloved grandsons Richard O’Neill, Spencer McDonough, and Jack McDonough; her sister-in-law Nancy Lerandeau; her brother-in-law Michael McDonough and his wife Carol; and many nieces and nephews.
The service will be held Friday, April 1 at 11am at Christ Episcopal Church, Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, c/o Agnes Palmer, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
