Carolyn Bulcken
Carolyn Bulcken (1933-2015), known as gmom, was a very special lady to many . There is another star in the sky, as another point of light has moved to the heavens. A resident of Dickinson for the past 50 years, her light will continue to shine over many.
On a slow day, Mom balanced the duties associated with raising her own four kids and taught reading or history to children at McAdams Junior High School. In the evenings, she was leader of Girl Scout Troop 12 for almost 10 years. Mom gave many children the opportunity to learn through experience; she was well known for venturing into state parks for a week at a time accompanied by 30 giggling, fidgeting girls. She had few behavior problems with any of them; she listened and mentored to all and helped more than a few get through their teenage years.
Mom valued education nearly as much as she valued family. A graduate of Towson State University, she continued her education and attained her MS in Educational Diagnostics at University of Houston Clear Lake. A paving stone was placed there in her honor several years ago. After her retirement, she loved to traipse about the world with her traveling pals Linda, Betty, Donna, and Darla. She brought home many tales and tokens from her adventures in Russia, China, Europe, Egypt, Panama, Mexico, the Caribbean, and other far off places.
She was very proud of her four children: Dr. Cheryl Sawyer ( Gary); Cindy Coker (James); Bill Bulcken; and Richard Bulcken (Andrea). Her 10 grandchildren (Tessie, Will, Chris, Jesse, Katie, Dan, Stacy, Julie, Stephie, and Levi) and her great grandchildren (Aleia, Lukas, Joshua, Maddy, Jackson, with two more on the way) were a tremendous source of pride. Mom continually shared their adventures, exploits, and anecdotes with her family and friends.
Stop by and visit a bit with family to share stories and hugs. We will be at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson on Friday March 20, 2015 from 9-11 am. A celebration of life service will be at the First United Methodist Church in Dickinson at 12:30 pm, also on Friday
Betty and Bill Lavallee were friends of Carolyn for over 60 years, dating back to when Carolyn and Betty were classmates at Towson [then Towson State Teachers College]. Earlier memories include visits at the Bulcken apartment in Baltimore, while Bill was in his last year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, eating crab cakes from Thompsons and admiring new baby, Sherry.
We got together as often as circumstances allowed -with Bill’s Navy duty stations all over the country.
Later we were both living in Texas; with us in the Dallas area. Carolyn even came to stay with us for a while when the hurricane of 2008 drove her from her house!
We will miss her scintillating wit and awesome intellect as well as her unfailingly cheery disposition.
Cheryl, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom sounds like an amazing woman! My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
I was a student in Mrs. Bulcken’s history class. She was a wonderful teacher, and she fostered my life-long fascination with ancient history and cultures. She also taught an experimental Sociology class, and she made it really interesting and fun.
Lastly, I remember she explained that there was no such word as “snuck”– the proper term is ” sneaked”. I always get funny looks when I use the word, and I think quietly of the day she told us.
Thank you Mrs. Bulcken.
All Carolyn’s loved ones, Sorry to learn of your loss, Carolyn was a sorority sister,BSP, of mine for many years while we lived in Clear Lake, now in Kerrville. I had email correspondence with her several weeks ago, Was hoping to be down there in Feb. but got the flu and we were unable to make the trip. She was a gracious lady and I enjoyed being a part of her life for most of 30 years. I have a picture of Indian Moccasins one of her daughter/granddaughters made from brown paper bags. I also have a poem one daughter received an award for after 9-11. She did brag about her children and grandchildren, she was so proud of each of them.
Sorry I was unable to attend the service.