Carroll J. Rhodes

MILL HALL - Carroll Jane Rhodes On July 4, 2017, Carroll Jane Rhodes was called to join that great band of angels that have assembled above. Her smart, sharp witted humor and musical talent graced stages across Pennsylvania and New York. Carroll's early musical performances were spent with Ritz, Chris Gaul & Friends, Bandit, Rubyfruit, Begonia and Katzenjammer. The last 33 years have been spent writing songs, performing, recording and fundraising with The Sirens. Her extended band family embraces the adventures, memories and stories they all share. Carroll found her way to Lock Haven after graduating from Chambersburg Area High School in 1969. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Lock Haven State College (1973) and her Masters of Science in Counseling (specializing in College Student Personnel) at Shippensburg University (1975.) In addition to directing the band, Carroll was a fearless champion of women. She was instrumental in organizing the LHSC campus Women's Center and was a Founding Mother and the first Executive Director of the Clinton County Womenás Center. The organization and staff are grateful for her efforts and decades of continued support. Carroll worked as coordinator for the Clinton County Weatherization Program (S.T.E.P., Inc.), a counselor for the Clinton County CETA Program and a counselor and later the Director of the Clinton County Training Office (JTPA)/Site Manager at Clinton County Career Link. Carroll's interest in designing and implementing innovative programs to address the special needs of at risk populations continued until her retirement from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, where she was employed as Director/Counselor for Upward Bound and Student Support Services. Carroll's service to the community included the following memberships and boards: School-to-Work Partnership and Vo-Tech Advisory board with the Keystone Central School District; Job Center Task Force; New Choices Advisory Board; Clinton County Economic Partnership Expo Committee; the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals; City of Lock Haven State Enterprise Zone board and the Federal Enterprise Committee board; and the Opportunity Clubhouse board (Skills Inc., State College.) Carroll is survived by Mary Frances Severino, her partner of 23 years and spouse of 3 years. The two were the first same sex couple to marry in Clinton County. Additionally, Carroll is survived by her sisters, Christine Rhodes Butler and Catherine Shadle and her husband, Gerald, all of Chambersburg; and is also survived by her exceptional sister-in-law, Tina M. Geyer; and four brother-in-laws, Peter Severino, of Dayton, Ohio, Terry Severino, of Loganton, Gerard Severino, of Bellefonte and Gregory Severino, of State College. Further, she is survived by her nieces, Angela Anderson, of Vienna, Va, Erin Anderson, of Denver, Colorado, Rachel Reck and her husband Bill, of Mechanicsburg, Lauren Comi and her husband Tom, of Sterling, Va, Emily Shadle, of Lancaster, Jessie Monroe and her husband Christ, of Smithsburg, Md; as well as her grandniece, Sophie Caroline Comi; and grandnephews, Aidan Rhodes Comi and Weston Case Monroe; as well as her remaining tribe of loving, caring people. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank C. Rhodes (2004) and Jane E. Rhodes (2007), of Chambersburg; and her brother-in-law, Randy Butler (2009); and her mother-in-law, Irene Severino. Carroll's family is extremely proud that she lived an authentic, uncompromising, independent and brilliant life; she served as an inspiration to those who knew and loved her. "Life is short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend." - John Lennon, no one says it better. "My sister, my friend: sometimes a competitor, teacher, tattle-tale or enemy, but always my sister. A talented, giving, creative musician. A hero to all for what she has endured. Always proud to call Carroll my sister." "And in the end The love you take Is equal to the love you make" - Lennon. "She's the most amazing woman we have ever seen From bravery to compassion and everything in between She rocked and rolled with that all girl band From New York through PA with their favorite stagehands There's no doubt about it, we all agree what a wonderful, incredible, long strange trip it's been." "My wife, my best friend the love of my life. She blessed me with 23 years of adventures, joy and uncompromising love. Often you hear "there are just no words." Carroll is once again the exception to the rule. True as that is, there are just not enough words. She truly was "Wonder Woman!" Proven over and over by the way she lived her life. Regardless of what she faced, she handled it with grace, love and kindness; always being sure everyone else could get through. Her spirit and soul now finally fly pain free." Carroll's Last Riff will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the Moose Lodge, 150 S. Hanna St., Lock Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Clinton County Women's Center and/or HELP For Pets would be appreciated. Helt Funeral Chapel, Mill Hall, has charge of arrangements.