Carolyn Gahan-Blackwell

L. Carolyn Gahan Blackwell, 92, died Sunday, May 11, 2008 at the Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in Hoopeston, IL. She had been a resident since May 1996. Prior to entering the nursing home, she and her late husband, Paul R. Blackwell had lived at 316 Fletcher Hills in Danville. Born in Potomac, IL, October 8, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Homer H. and Nelle Cecilia (Stone) Wilson of Potomac. She attended elementary Schools in East Lynn and Potomac graduating first in her class from St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph. She attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, beginning in the fall of 1933, but left in October of that year to elope with the late Willard R. Gahan. They were married in Paxton and set up house keeping in Danville. In the fall of 1945, she with her husband and two sons moved to Urbana while he returned to the University of Illinois to complete his degree in accounting. The following year they moved back to Danville and started the Gahan Accounting Service. She worked along side her husband until he died in November 1968. She married Paul R. Blackwell in August of 1972. She continued managing the Gahan Accounting Service until it was sold and merged with the accounting firm Clifton, Gundersen & Company in 1975. She was active in Danville community affairs having served as President of the Edison Elementary Parent Teachers Association (PTA), President of the Danville High School PTA, and later as President for the Danville Area PTA. She was also a life member of the Illinois Congress of Parents and Teachers. She served as President of the Danville YWCA Board and was a life member. She was also a life member of the Lake View Memorial Hospital Association. She was a member of the Danville Business and Professional Womens (B&PW) Organization, member of the Order of Eastern Star and belonged to the Illinois Association of Independent Accountants, having served as state treasurer and annual conference chair. She was a long time member of the St. James United Methodist Church in Danville and was active in the Womens Circle activities at the church. Surviving are her two sons and their families, Larry Gahan and his wife Linda of Clemson, SC, and Bill Gahan of Corpus Christi, TX. Four grandsons and their families, John Gahan and his wife Karen of Abilene, TX, Sean Gahan and his wife Jennifer of Knoxville, TN, Shannon Gahan and his wife Renee of Clemson, SC, and Jason Gahan of Kilgore, TX. Five great-grandchildren, Candice and Christopher Gahan of Bossier City, LA, Carolyn and Lauren Gahan of Knoxville, TN, and Madison Patrick of Abilene, TX. A brother, Howard Wilson, a daughter-in-law, Susan Gahan, and a great-grandson, Craig Patrick preceded Carolyn in death.