Dateline – Kennebunk, ME

Carol A. Holmberg, 88, of Kennebunk, died Monday, November 13, 2017 at her residence surrounded by her loving family following a battle with cancer that she faced with her usual matter of fact style and witty sense of humor.

Carol was born November 8, 1929 in Providence, RI, the daughter of Granville A. and Phyllis Elizabeth Winter Beals, and is a graduate of the Lincoln School, Providence, RI, class of 1946; Skidmore College, graduating with a BS in 1950, and the University of Pennsylvania in 1955 with a degree in Physical Therapy. Returning to school, she received a degree in counseling from U.S.M.


An active person, Carol loved the outdoors and sharing her passion with her family. Many family memories were made aboard her 17’ O’Day Sailboat, sailing out of the cove by Strawberry Island and making many friends upon the waters around Kennebunk and the Port. Carol could also be found Skiing, hiking, snow shoeing, scuba diving and camping, including a well-documented family trip to Alaska.

Carol was an active and faithful member of Christ Church. Together with Jean Perkins, Carol taught most of the kids in Kennebunk to swim at the Idlease Cottages Pool, as a Red Cross swim instructor. She also taught at the Meadows Swim and Racquet center (the bubbles to locals at that time).

Utilizing her varied skills and education, Carol was employed for 35 years with Home Health Visiting Nurses of York County, retiring as Director of Rehabilitation.

She is predeceased by her brother, Lt. CDR Granville Beals Jr.

Survivors include her four children John Eric Holmberg of Yulee, FL, Robert Irish “Holmberg” of Boise, ID, Karen E. Holmberg Gorman of Pompano Beach, FL, and Kristen L Holmberg of Kennebunk, a brother John Alden Beals, and 2 grandchildren Zachary Clinton Gorman and Colleen Nicole Gorman, both of Florida.

A Celebration of Carol’s incredible life will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, November 19, 2017, from Christ Church, 6 Dane St, Kennebunk, with Rev James Anderson and Rev Sue Ellery officiating. Interment will follow in Hope Cemetery, Kennebunk. The family is requesting that all guests attending the service include something pink in their attire.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main St. Kennebunk, ME 04043, the Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME. 04094, or to Mary’s Walk (for breast cancer research), PO Box 746, Saco, ME. 04072

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Carol’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk, ME. 04043