Carolyn Wilson Schanck, a saleswoman from Armagh Village in Baltimore County who was known for her upbeat personality, skill at tennis and work with her church, died of uterine cancer Wednesday. She was 68.
She was born in Oak Hill, W.Va., the daughter of Woodrow and Virginia Baker Wilson. The family moved to Charleston, W.Va., when she and her sister were youngsters.
Known to friends and family as "Caddi," Mrs. Schanck attended West Virginia University, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1960.
Her husband of 47 years, Pete Schanck, is the president of Anchor Capital Management, an investment advisory firm.
"We got married the same day I graduated from Johns Hopkins University, in fact 15 minutes later," Mr. Schanck said. "I got to my wedding late because the line of people waiting to get their diplomas was so long. They had to mail mine to me."
John and Rosalyn Evans of Ruxton, friends of the Schancks for 30 years, said the Schancks were fun to be around.
The couples met through the Roland Run Tennis Club in Lutherville, where Mr. Evans was president of the club and Mr. Schanck was tennis chairman.
"She was deeply spiritual, but more fun than anybody you've every met," Mrs. Evans said. "She never seemed to have a down moment. She was just ebullient, a great personality."
Mrs. Schanck loved her job as a saleswoman at Talbots Kids at Cross Keys, Mrs. Evans said. "She loved to talk to all the other grannies that would come in. They'd talk about their grandkids," she said.
Mrs. Schanck was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, serving as a church elder and as a one-on-one pastoral counselor in the Stephen Ministries.
Mrs. Schanck paid regular visits to an elderly widow who was a shut-in and in need of companionship, according to the Rev. Thomas Blair, the church's pastor.
She also enjoyed playing in the church's bell choir. The bell choir will perform during a celebration of her life and a reception at the church Saturday, the Rev. Blair said.
Nancy Furtaw, a longtime friend and fellow church member, said the church was an important part of Mrs. Schanck's life. She described her as "a joyful woman who loved life, was very strong in her faith and always had a smile and compassion for others."
Graveside services were held Saturday.
Mrs. Schanck is also survived by a son, Gregory Schanck of Baltimore; two daughters, Amy Davidson of Baltimore and Emily McGuffin of Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister, Barbara Sackberger of St. Louis; and six grandchildren.