Obituary of Caryl L Gautrau

Caryl Lynn Gautrau, age 59 of Wilton, CT, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, April 10, 2017, after a long and courageous battle with a degenerative brain disease. She was born in Stamford, the daughter of the late Raymond and Betty Gautrau. She is survived by her brother Alan Gautrau and his wife, Ann, her brother, Douglas, her three nieces, Maggie Gautrau, Bridget Gautrau, and Abby Gautrau, whom she loved dearly, her devoted and cherished friends, Mario and Pamela Alvino, and her loving caregiver, Loretta Cobb.

Caryl attended Stamford Public Schools before attending Southern CT State University and Fairfield University where she received a BA and MA in Education. She was an educator with the New Canaan Public Schools for 26 years until she had to retire in 2009 due to her illness. After her retirement, Caryl volunteered her time taking care of babies and toddlers at the YMCA day care room. She was a die-hard, long time NY Mets fan. Caryl was an extremely talented and creative baker and cake decorator. Her homemade breads and cookies were the highlight of family holiday dinners. She baked and decorated many beautiful and unique cakes over the years for her friends’ and family’s bridal showers, baby showers and birthdays. Caryl also was an avid knitter and sewer, who spent many hours knitting beautiful blankets, scarves and mittens for the people she loved. She made beautiful dresses and creative Halloween costumes for her nieces every year when they were young. Spending time with her nieces brought Caryl the most joy in life. Teaching them to knit and bake was Caryl’s favorite thing to do. Caryl was the most devoted, loving and generous aunt, sister and friend, and she will be missed dearly.

Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home, ( next to the Knights of Columbus) 453 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor, PA 19087. To send on –line condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com