Carolyn J. Ahles and Jack R. Davidson

Carolyn J. Ahles, 88, of Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully on April 9, 2019.

A few days later, on April 14, childhood sweetheart, Jack R. Davidson, 87, of Marblehead, MA joined her in eternal rest. Through the glorious grace of God and without coincidence, their lifelong circle of love was completed.

Carolyn and Jack were both born in Rome, NY and began dating at the young age of 12 when Jack’s older brother, Gene, began dating Carolyn‘s older sister, Marjorie. Both couples were eventually married.

The two families moved to Boxford, MA where Gene and Jack entered into business together as automobile dealers. They founded and for many years co-owned Davy Chevrolet in Danvers, MA while the loving sisters raised their families together as devoted mothers, aunts and wives.

The couple traveled extensively to exotic locations around the world on business and for pleasure. Traveling was one of Carolyn‘s greatest loves. She also loved the sun and the beach so in 1978, when the couple separated, she courageously moved to Vero Beach as a single mother. She began working outside of the home for the first time, serving for 30 years as a loyal and devoted office manager to Dr. Harold McBride in Vero Beach.

She was a lover of art and all things beautiful. Collecting was also one of her many passions and she had a way of bringing her beautiful possessions to life with her enthusiasm. She loved Vero Beach and all it had to offer. She adored attending Vero’s cultural events with her dearest and much loved “BFF” – Jan Newcombe also of Vero Beach. Their shared love of art, beauty and family was the foundation of a deep, loving and undying friendship.

There was hardly a time when Carolyn was seen without a little dog in her arms or by her side. She had many throughout her life and she deeply loved them all. The one she will most be remembered with was “Kitty”, her tiny teacup Yorkie. Kitty and Carolyn’s bond was like no other; they lived for each other and were inseparable until the moment Carolyn drew her very last breath.

Carolyn approached everything in life with tremendous passion. She loved Christmas decorations, beautiful jewelry, hearing about a delicious meal or even just talking about the weather. Besides “The Works” from Station 49 in Vero, cheese and crackers were her favorite meal and she loved a “good” martini to go with them. She so loved family gatherings and spending time with friends. Chatting was her favorite pastime and she was truly interested in hearing everything, everyone had to say. She was loved by so many and so many will miss her spunk and spirit.

The same can be said of Jack. He was the family comedian – always ready with a funny story or a joke delivered with delight. His pure essence was that he loved to laugh and to make people laugh. Underneath his gentle demeanor and gentlemanly nature was a fun-loving life-of-the-party that had been known to dance on a table or crash a party in a costume. He was also an impeccably “snappy” dresser. He loved bright, fun clothes and was always dressed to impress – and never without a hat.

He had a collection of telescopes which he loved to pass time watching the sailboats and people passing by with. He peeped conspicuously from his large, second story, picture window on Marblehead Harbor and soon became fondly known around Marblehead as “the guy with the telescopes.” He was also the handiest of handymen and loved to tinker. One could rest assured that if he noticed a door didn’t close properly or that a table was wobbly, he would take to fixing it immediately. He was never without his toolbox and had the miraculous ability to fix anything.

Golf was Jack’s favorite pastime – playing and watching. In modesty, he rarely mentioned the hole-in-one he made in a tournament at Teugaga Country Club in NY. He and his brother, Gene, spent many happy hours together on the links at Salem Country Club in MA. He also enjoyed the water and sailing. For a brief time, he owned a 30’ sloop in Marblehead Harbor named “Galahad” which he quickly had changed to “GalaDAD” with an artful stroke of a paint brush. He adored Paul Harvey and never missed a noontime broadcast. He relished his words of wisdom and was often heard quoting him … “and now you know the rest of the story.”

Carolyn and Jack had two daughters, ‘11 years, lacking one day, apart’ (as Carolyn would say). They are Mishelle “Shelley” Kelly of McLean, VA and Vero Beach and Kelley Callahan of Marblehead, MA and formerly of Vero Beach. They also leave behind four grandchildren; as “Foofey” and “Ya Ya” to Ryan and Brendan Kelly and as “Pon Pon” and “Grampy” to Lily and Rose Callahan. In March, they blessedly became great-grandparents to Kira Alden Kelly born to Ryan and Tatyana. They also leave behind two much loved son-in-law’s; Richard Kelly and David Callahan, as well as niece and nephew Pam McKay and Mark Davidson.

At 5:00 on May 11, on the Moorings Beach in Vero Beach, the family will be celebrating the lives of Carolyn and Jack. Their ashes will be conjoined in symbolic reunion and released to eternity where the two shall be as one again.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to charities close to their hearts; The Humane Society of Vero Beach or PGA HOPE. A very special thank you goes to VNA Hospice of Vero Beach for their most kind and angelic love and support in Carolyn’s final days. Donations would graciously be welcomed there as well.

“Reunited”

Years ago I knew you
It seemed so long ago
When I was young as you were too
All those years before

As if you never left me
You never left my side
As if time never passed us
But oh the time did fly

I miss the way it was
When it was you and I and them
But I love how it is now
When it is you and I again

– Mandi D. Nelson