Carol Jean Neary, 82, passed peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 22, 2023 from natural causes.

Carol had spent 32 years at Calcasieu Parish Public School as an elementary teacher for second grade in Lake Charles, La. Carol earned her teaching Degree and Masters at UTEP, University of Texas El Paso.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel A. Neary; her mother, Lucretia “Gussie” Pelletier; father, Ernest Pelletier, and brother, David Pelletier. Carol and her husband had moved to Lehigh Acres, Fla. after retiring and were active members of St. Raphael Catholic Church. Her last four years she spent living in Prescott Valley, Ariz.with her niece and nephew-in-law, Brian and Tami Hartshorn.

Carol was a long-time member of Kappa Kappa Iota, which extended for a period of 50 years plus.

She held National and Life memberships in an organization that she truly loved. She joined Kappa Kappa Iota Eta State (LA) Sept. 7, 1973 as a member of Alpha Rho Chapter in Lake Charles, La., where she was very active for many years serving within her chapter, as well as serving on area State National committees. Carol served on the State Executive Board in many offices also serving as Eta State President from 1989 to 1991. Carol received the Eta State Scholarship in 1979.

In 1997, Carol was the recipient of the Loretta Doer Achievement Award- the most prestigious Eta State Award presented to a member.

When retirement years brought Carol and Kappa guy, Dan (her late husband) to Florida, Carol became a member of a Florida Chapter and again very involved with many group activities.

Carol rejoined Eta State (LA) Kappa Chapter Alpha Rho in later years and was a faithful attendant at National Kappa Conventions, her last one being the Convention held in Tulsa, Okla. where they celebrated the 100th anniversary of Kappa Kappa Iota.

Gravesite services will be held at Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, Calif. on March 8, 2024 where she will be laid to rest with her family members.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to National Kappa Kappa Iota, 1875 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK 74104-4610 for General Fund/any budgeted area of need or for past statep residents scholarships. They can also be made to Eta State Kappa Kappa Iota General Fund, Attention: Wanda Huhn, Treasurer, P.O. Box 308, Princeton, LA 71067