Obituary of Caroline T Bosbyshell

Caroline Thomas Bosbyshell, age 90, died April 17, 2024, in St Petersburg, Florida, of a stroke.

She is predeceased by her parents Edwin and Frances Thomas, her brother Benjamin Thomas, and her husband the Rev. William A. Bosbyshell Ph.D. She is survived by her children and their spouses, William (Maura) Bosbyshell, Frances (Al) Lima, and Mary Helen (Kevin) Landmesser. She is also survived by her three grandchildren William Allen Bosbyshell III, Katherine Dixon Landmesser and Sarah Hartman Landmesser.

Caroline led an amazing life. She was born in Tampa on July 24th, 1933, in the middle of the depression. For several years during World War II her family moved to Indian Rocks Beach. Caroline remembered putting up blackout curtains at night because German U boats lurked in the dark waters off the gulf beaches. In 1951 she graduated from Plant High School and went to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania where William (Bill) Allen Bosbyshell, Sr. was also studying. Caroline graduated in 1955 and was a Gasparilla debutant that year. After college she moved to New York City where she reconnected with Bill, and they fell in love. She and Bill were married for over 60 years.

Caroline and Bill were married in 1958 after Bill graduated from seminary. The young couple moved to Philadelphia where Caroline worked for Wellington Fund, now Vanguard. Caroline and Bill moved to Florida and had their three children during the 1960s. She was a wonderful mother who had a plan for every contingency. Caroline was a prolific letter writer and corresponded diligently with her children wherever life took them. She also adored her three grandchildren and showered them with affection, fun times, and advice from the moment they were born.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Caroline was a loving and active clergy spouse who knew everyone in every parish where Bill worked. This included churches in Philadelphia, Orlando, Eau Gallie, Newberry, Good Shepard in Dunedin, Church of the Ascension and St. John’s Clearwater, and the Cathedral of St Peter and St. Bede’s in St. Petersburg.

In 1976, after her father’s death, Caroline took over her father’s property business and managed it until 2006. She often said she did not get credit for having this job. Caroline loved history and genealogy. She remarked that getting her great grandfather's military diary published was one of her greatest achievements. The project took 12 years, and you can still buy that book, the ‘Blues in Gray’ at Savannah’s Fort McAllister. She donated memorabilia from that book to the Georgia Historical Society. She was an avid fan of the British monarchy stemming from her family’s heritage. Her research into her family history was extensive. She was a member and officer of many genealogical groups including: the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, Daughters of 1812, Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, and Daughters of Colonial Wars. A proponent of higher education, Caroline joined PEO in 1960 and was a member for 58 years. She was a founder of Seminole chapter EF which recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary.

Caroline’s life included a great many travels and interests: as a teenage she spent a summer in Cuba, she was an avid bird watcher; she adored Gone with the Wind; she spent many summers in the family cabin on Beech Mountain walking the Yellow Brick Road at the Land of Oz; she liked murder mysteries in print and film; she loved games especially bridge and Mah Jongg; she made the best iced tea on the planet; and she was an avid gardener.

Caroline above all was a true friend and loving family member. Caroline was full of energy and action that she directed towards the people and causes important to her. She is a beloved soul to many friends and relatives who will miss her greatly.

A funeral service will take place on Saturday, May 4th at 11am at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, 140 4th Street N, St Petersburg, 33701. A reception at the church will follow the service.

If you are sending flowers for the service, please have the florist deliver to the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter on Saturday, May 4th, by 10am.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter.