Carolyn Darlene Wells

Carolyn Wells, born on October 14, 1966, to the late Irene Polk and John Wells in Chicago, IL, departed this realm on May 14, 2026.

Carolyn was the youngest of 10 children. Six children are living in this loving family unit. Carolyn leaves to cherish her memory: three sisters-Teresa (Godwin), Alice , and Kathy , and three brothers-Anthony (Karen), Gerald , and Ronald (Thea). She also leaves behind a large, loving circle of nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will carry her memory forward.

After graduating from Westinghouse High School in 1984, she earned her bachelor's degree in business administration and small business management from the University of Phoenix.

In 1987, Carolyn married Kevin and had four beautiful children that resulted from this union: Tiffany (Andrew), Kevin Jr., Melissa, Samantha and her granddaughter Sophie-Mae. After nineteen years together, their marriage dissolved in 2007.

Carolyn began her career in Talent Acquisition in 2008 with Allied Barton. She took a brief pause from recruiting in 2015, opting to fly the friendly skies as a United Airlines flight attendant with her base in San Francisco, CA where she later joined Sciton, a medical device company based in Palo Alto, CA.

In keeping with her passion for continuous learning and entrepreneurship, she enrolled in the Jack Welch Management Institute. She began working towards her master's degree shortly before her cancer diagnosis advanced.

Carolyn departed this realm having lived a full and adventurous life. She had a passport that saw more action than most suitcases. Whether it was a spontaneous road trip or a well-planned overseas adventure, she embraced travel with the joy of a kid on summer break.

One of her favorite solo trips was to Switzerland in 2023, where she laid the framework for her published collection of poetry, Chestnut Butterflies: Poetic Blooms in the Garden of Life.

She wasn't just collecting stamps-she was collecting memories to cherish and share with others. Carolyn believed the world was meant to be explored, preferably with good company, superb cuisine, and a playlist that included everything from classical to jazz.

Carolyn chose how she wanted to be memorialized. True to her essence and passion for nature, she asked for a non-traditional memorial at one of her favorite places: the peaceful, natural beauty of the Morton Arboretum.

As we say goodbye, may we carry forward the lessons, the love, and the moments we shared with Carolyn. Though her life here on earth has ended, her presence remains-in the stories shared, the lives she touched, and the love that will always connect us.

She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Robin, Patricia, Lee and her niece Ivory.

In Lieu of flowers we ask that in honor of Carolyn’s deep love for nature we invite you to print a tree in her memory (alivingtribute.org) https://shop.alivingtribute.org/

Cremation rites have been accorded , She will be dearly loved and missed by all who knew her.