1928
2017
Mary Carolyn Bistline, age 88, died May 26, 2017, in Lake Mary, Florida.
Mary Carolyn Bistline was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She moved as a baby to the family farm in Central, South Carolina (now Clemson), where her brother, Leland Stansell, was born.
The small family then moved to Miami, Florida, where Carolyn spent her formative years until attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida.
Carolyn met Frederick Bistline at Florida Southern and married him in 1949, shortly after he graduated from there with his degree in Horticulture / Citrus. A year later, she graduated from Florida Southern herself with a degree in Early Childhood Education. At Florida Southern, Carolyn was very active in Alpha Delta Pi. One of her fondest memories of the college was seeing and talking with Frank Lloyd Wright as he walked the small campus in his flowing dark attire.
Carolyn and Fred settled in Longwood, Florida, on Bistline family land. They raised four children under the big oaks and tall pines. For many years, the family was active at First Presbyterian Church of Sanford and the Farm Bureau of Central Florida. In their retirement years, Carolyn and Fred became members of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church.
Carolyn taught in many Seminole County Schools. She also founded the Oak Tree Kindergarten in Longwood. She was active in the Seminole Education Association, Longwood Historical Society, Seminole County Historical Society, Central Florida Society for Historic Preservation, Hospital Auxiliary at South Seminole Community Hospital, and the Retired Teachers Association.
Carolyn is survived by her children: Fredrick Walter Bistline, Jr. (Rabun), Frances Bistline Stephan (Paul), John Leland Bistline (Kathy - deceased), and Jane Bistline Riordan (Keith); her grandchildren: Katie Betz (Matt), Addie McConomy (Shayne), Khloe Riordan, Kamden Riordan, and Keegen Riordan; four great-grandchildren: Garrison Betz, Quinnlyn Betz, Miriam McConomy, and William McConomy; her brother, Leland Stansell; and her brother-in-law, John Bistline.
A service will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, at 2:00pm, at the Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 994 East Altamonte Drive (SR436) at the corner of SR427 in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
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3 Entries
June 3, 2017
Jan McGrath
Miss Carolyn was a wonderful neighbor and friend. I enjoyed sharing our love of all things historical with her. She had an indomitable spirit and strength, and I am so blessed to have known her.
June 1, 2017
Susan Bradley
Your mom and family meant the world to me. I am sorry to hear of her passing. I have so many memories of her from my childhood. My favorite is spending the week at the beach in the summers. I was also welcome in her home.
Janie, I haven't seen you in so many years. Please feel free to reach out. I would love to reconnect.
~Susan Burfeind Bradley
May 30, 2017
Pastor David Judd
We are so sorry to learn of Carolyn's death. Her church will deeply miss her compassion, hard work, faithful prayers, and blessings of spirit and truth.
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Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home - Altamonte Dr.994 E Altamonte Dr, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
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