CAROLYN JANE BRIDGE STARBIRD, 89, passed away on October 18, 2023, at River Garden Senior Center in Jacksonville, Florida. She was born on December 30, 1933, in Guilford, Maine, to Carroll and Minnie Bridge. She grew up in Parkman, Maine, with 5 siblings: Paul Bridge, Beverly Bridge, Harry Bridge, Norman Bridge, and Donna Colver. She met the love of her life, Irving Rollins Starbird, in grade school and they enjoyed 61 years of marriage. They had 4 daughters: Deanne Starbird, Beverly Gunter, Stephanie McCracken, and Gail Starbird. Carolyn enjoyed being GamGam to her 6 grandchildren: Cinnamin O’Shell Turk, Kristen Diggs, Lauren Diggs, Justin Diggs, Brooke McCracken Heim, and Brittany McCracken. She was also blessed to be GamGam to 6 great-grandchildren: Skylar Turk, Denis Turk, Madison Heim, Avery Heim, Jayden Taylor, and Brooklyn Taylor.
Carolyn is predeceased by her loving husband, Irving R. Starbird, and wonderful daughter, Stephanie Kay McCracken.
Carolyn retired from the Department of Commerce where she worked as a Customer Service Manager. She was a very active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, VA. There she played bells, was active in the women’s group, and volunteered in the church office.
Carolyn and Irving loved to travel. They visited most of the US National Parks, many European countries, and attended many Elderhostel (later Road Scholar) educational programs throughout the United States. Her favorite travel story was about dancing with Irving on the stage at Moulin Rouge in Paris. Fortunately, it was after the performance was over. Carolyn was an avid reader of historical fiction, loved attending musical events, and loved skiing in West Virginia, Colorado, and Utah. She and Irving loved their bridge groups and monthly ‘Lunch Bunch’ outings.
A funeral service for family and friends will take place on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Rd. Manassas, VA. A reception will follow in the church foyer from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Interment will be at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carolyn’s name may be given to Grace United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association. Please sign the guest book at the front desk.
