Carolyn W. Bullock, 88, a proud lifelong resident of Williamsport, died peacefully with family by her side on October 20, 2024.
She was born in Williamsport on November 28, 1935, a daughter to the late Cornelius E. and Carolyn (Hartman) Welsh.
Carolyn was a 1954 graduate of Williamsport High school, later attending Goucher College in Towson, Maryland and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Education in 1958, later becoming President of the Goucher College Alumni Association and the local representative for the college. She took graduate level courses at Bucknell University and received her Pennsylvania state teaching certificate.
After college, Carolyn taught kindergarten at the former Transeau School on Park Avenue for six years and was a playground supervisor for the Williamsport Recreation Commission. She then held the position of Head Teacher for over six years at the Pine Street Church Nursery School.
By this time, Carolyn had begun her lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteering. In recognition of her professional and volunteer contributions to the community, she was elected to “Community Leaders of America” and “Outstanding Young Women of America”.
She was also recognized by the former Williamsport Chapter of the Federation of Soroptimist International and received the Woman of the Year Award from the American Association of University Women in 1968. Carolyn frequently served on boards, committees, and in leadership or executive roles that over the years included: the Clio Club; Junior League of Williamsport, of which she became a sustaining member; and The Woman’s Club, where she served on the board and was a member for more than 50 years.
Carolyn also served on the Board of Trustees of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and was a Sunday School Teacher for 20 years. She volunteered her time fundraising for the United Way of Williamsport and Heart Association, where she was also a board member. She served on the Williamsport-Lycoming Arts Council and was a member of the Board of Governors of the Lycoming County Historical Society. She also served on the board of the Lycoming Neighborhood Development Corporation. She was a James V. Brown Library BRAVO volunteer and was a volunteer for the 50th Anniversary of Little League Baseball and 18th International Congress held in Williamsport.
Following her teaching career and while raising her two children, Carolyn expanded her active participation in the community as a member of the YWCA Board, where she was chairperson of various committees, became President of the Board of Directors and ultimately accepted the role of Executive Director of the Organization from 1982-1987.
Carolyn was then able to pursue her interest in shaping local government and her community by running for office. She was honored to be elected and serve on the Williamsport City Council for one and a half terms, from 1987 to 1994, at which time she was appointed Williamsport City Treasurer. She was elected City Treasurer in 1995 and re-elected to second and third terms, serving until her retirement in 2008. Carolyn was a member of the Lycoming County Tax Collectors Association, the PA Tax Collectors Association and the Third-Class Cities Treasurers Association.
After retirement from City Government, Carolyn remained involved in political party and other community organizations, including the City of Williamsport Planning Commission, beginning in 2009; the Williamsport-Lycoming County Council of Republican Women, as board member and president; and the PA Federation of Republican Women, where she served as Regional Director. She was recognized as Regional Woman of the year in 1999 by the Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women. She was a Republican Committee Person and served as a member of the Lycoming County Republican Executive Committee. Carolyn received the Lycoming County Alvin C. Bush Republican Service Award in 2012 and the Mayor’s Award for Achievement in 2015.
For 30 years, Carolyn was both honored and proud to commit her time, knowledge, experience and passion for community service to STEP Inc. beginning in 1988, serving as chairperson of the STEP Office of Aging Advisory Council from 2011-2013 and Bi-County Aging Advisory Board, as well as Secretary of the STEP Board of Directors from 1998-2015. In 2012, she received the STEP Volunteer of the Year Award; in 2015, received the Public Service Award, and in 2018, she was presented with the Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizing her decades of service to the Aging Advisory Council.
Carolyn’s influence extended farther than anyone could have imagined. A woman of such principal and devotion, will be remembered for generations to come through her tireless efforts to support and enrich the community. Her passion was her community and its citizens, and as Carolyn was known to say, service was “in my blood.”
In 2016, Carolyn was honored by the city, when the portion of Fifth Street between Hepburn and Pine streets was renamed “Carolyn Bullock Pass”, for her key role in the economic development of this part of the city.
Carolyn’s other great passion was her family. She enjoyed summer beach vacations with her husband of 24 years, Robert A. Bullock, and her two children Lisa and William. Attending Penn State University football games in State College and tailgating with family and friends were a highlight every fall, as were Thanksgivings spent at Bear Hollow. Carolyn and Robert enjoyed their Bridge Supper Club gatherings for many years, hosting parties, and especially enjoyed stays at Skytop Lodge, and trips out West to visit friends and see the sights.
Throughout her life, Carolyn enjoyed the companionship of family pets, especially dogs, and her beloved childhood pony Gigi! She enjoyed attending Community Concerts, listening to the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, and supporting many local community events. She enjoyed meals and quality time, throughout the years, at both the Ross Club and The Wheel Inn.
In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Robert A. Bullock; son, William W. Hartman; stepson Robert S. Bullock; stepdaughter in law Nancy Bullock; stepdaughter in law Shelby Bullock.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter Lisa and partner Beth Smith; stepson Jonathan Bullock; grandchildren Jason (Courtney) Bullock, Kristofer Bullock, Kimberly (Steve) Hermens and Robert (Glenna) Bullock; as well as seven great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Carolyn’s memory to either the Lycoming County SPCA, 2805 Reach Rd., Williamsport PA 17701; James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport PA 17701; or the Thomas T. Taber Museum, 858 W 4th St, Williamsport, PA 17701.
A Funeral Service will be held at Pine Street United Methodist Church, 441 Pine St, Williamsport, PA 17701, on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 11:00am. The family will receive friends and family at the church prior to services, from 10-10:45am.
Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with handling final arrangements. To share a memory or sign an online register book, please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com.
