Carolyn Staples

Carolyn Lee Staples of Frederick, Maryland, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2011, at Frederick Memorial Hospital after suffering a stroke that morning.

A beloved wife, sister and aunt, she was born on September 27, 1949, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and was the daughter of the late Roger Staples and the late Lelia (Shaw) Staples.

She graduated from Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, MD in 1967, and received two degrees from the University of Maryland: a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Economic Policy. She worked at the Food and Drug Administration for 35 years, using her many talents, including a keen intellect, to advance to a GS-14 position as an Economic Policy Analyst before retiring in 2006.

S She found happiness when she married George Kaas on February 21,2009 but their first year of marriage was cut short when she suffered a devastating stroke on December 27, 2009. George was a patient and loving caregiver during her extended illness.

She is survived by her husband and her three stepchildren, Tommy Kaas, Sandy Kaas, and Joey Kaas. She is also survived by two sisters, Barbara Staples Griffiths of Baton Rouge, LA and Jean Staples Franklin of Salem, OR; two brothers-in-law, James Griffiths and Kenneth Franklin; five nieces and nephews, James Roger Griffiths and his wife Jennifer Griffiths, Leigh Griffiths Broderson and her husband Kent Broderson, Daniel Franklin, Zachary Franklin, and Sarah Franklin; and five great-nieces and great-nephews, James Griffiths, Jr., Jackson Griffiths, Joseph Griffiths, Anna Broderson and Ellie Broderson.

She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh, spoil her cats, go dancing, travel to England, read English history, eat chocolate cake, play Balderdash, root for the Redskins, and watch BBC comedies and dramas. Her nieces and nephews grew up knowing that “Aunt Carolyn” was an important part of the family and a regular participant at the family’s celebrations, including Christmas, graduations and weddings.

Always thinking of others, Carolyn donated her organs so that four people will benefit from her generous gift.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 30 ^th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church Utica, 10621 Old Frederick Road , Utica , MD , with Funeral Services immediately following at 2:00 p.m. , celebrated by Pastor Albert K. Lane III . Graveside services and interment will be held at a later date at St. Paul ’s Cemetery, Utica .

She was a bright shining star to her family and friends and now she shines in heaven.

Arrangements by Stauffer Funeral Homes P.A., Frederick .