In Memoriam: Carol Adair

Carol Adair, the spouse of U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan and a venerated teacher at the College of Marin, died of cancer on January 3rd, 2009, at the age of 66. She is survived by Ryan, two daughters, four grandchildren, her mother, and four siblings.

Her death was first announced in the Marin Independent Journal on January 7, but only received wide notice when SFGate printed a more formal obituary today.

The Marin Independent noted that Adair and Ryan “married twice – once at San Francisco City Hall in 2004, the second time at the Marin Civic Center in 2008, on the same day Ryan learned she had been named U.S. poet laureate. They were together for 30 years.”

It also explained that Adair’s experience as a single mother (before meeting Ryan) made her particularly interested in teaching ESL students who were having trouble and making sure they gained “whatever skills they needed to become successful.”

SFGate noted, “One of Carol’s driving passions was to help women with children go to school to improve their chances in the working world. She knew that a woman’s earning capacity increases by $10,000 per year for each year of college completed.”

To that end, said the Marin Independent:

A memorial scholarship has been established in Ms. Adair’s name. It was designed by Ms. Adair herself to, in her words, serve “young moms who have the guts to dream and come back and try.”

Contributions can be sent to the College of Marin Foundation, P.O. Box 446, Kentfield, CA 94914. . . .

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 24 at the College of Marin Fine Arts Theater with a reception to follow. The event is open to all.