Carol M (Manzie) Fournier

Carol (Manzie) Mahlstedt Fournier, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her three children, Chrystine M. Heier, spouse Michael Heier and children Zachary and Matthew of Needham, MA, Curt J. Mahlstedt and spouse Karen Molinaroli of Nokomis, FL, and Carl M. Mahlstedt, spouse Cynthia Mahlstedt and children Calvin and Corynne of Tolland, CT. She also leaves four step-children, Amy Leighton, spouse Timothy Leighton and children Benjamin, Hunter and Phoebe of Scituate, MA, Beth Feather, spouse Timothy Feather and children Shae, Jack and Annie of Hopkinton, MA, Renee Fournier of New London, CT, and Arleen Schilb and children Robert and Andrew of New Milford, CT.  

Also lovingly left behind are her sister and best friend, Dorothy Lytle, brother, Bobby Manzie, and several nieces and nephews including Renee Stendel and Shelly Murphy with whom she was especially close and grateful for. She also is survived by her sisters-in-law, Shirley Rotti, Linda Friedman, and Nancy Fournier. Carol also leaves behind her beloved dog, Dante, partner in crime who could always be found at her side.

Carol was predeceased by her first husband, Calvin T. Mahlstedt, and her second husband, the Rev. Ronald J. Fournier, and her parents Ernest and Mary Manzie.

She was born December 14, 1940 in Newport News, VA and graduated from Radford College where she was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She married Calvin in 1963 and moved to Connecticut where she continued her career in education, founding Chestnut Hill Preschool in Manchester, CT as Director and Teacher. Following Calvin’s passing she switched careers to banking, allowing her to better support her family as a single mother. This led to her career as a Branch Manager of banks in both Connecticut and New Hampshire.

Carol married Ron in 1993, and moved to Rindge, NH, serving her calling as a Pastor’s wife and residing lakeside where “Grammi” enjoyed visits from her grandchildren, family and friends. After Ron’s passing, she retired to Rhode Island to be closer with family.

Carol was a long-time member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester, CT. and later joined Peace Lutheran Church in Rindge, NH.  Upon settling in RI,  she found a welcoming home at St. James Lutheran Church in Barrington, RI. Her kindness, generosity, nurturing nature, and delicious cooking touched too many lives to count. For that reason, she had many lifelong friends who are truly family.

Carol’s hobbies included cooking for family and friends, playing cards, dominoes and any board game, and organizing people for charity and organizational fundraising.  While living in Rindge, NH she enjoyed raising money through jewelry making with a team of dedicated women. Once she moved to Warren, RI, she became known as “The Jam Lady” in the East Bay community, loved for the popular and unusual jams she made and sold to raise money for We Share Hope in Rumford, RI, an organization near and dear to her heart.

Although she is no longer with us, Carol would ask you all to spend time with your children and loved ones, hug them and tell them how much you love them; if you can, take a walk on the beach with them and take time to celebrate enduring friendships each and every day. This is what she would wish for you.

Calling hours will be held from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at St. James Lutheran church in Barrington, RI followed by a service of celebration at 1:30 pm. For those unable to attend in person, please contact stjamesadmin@stjames-ri.org for a virtual zoom option. A private family burial will take place at later date in Holden, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Carol’s memory to We Share Hope (https://wesharehope.orsg/donations)