FRANKLIN: Carole B. Reid

Carole Beverly Reid (Ekstrom) was born in Franklin moments after midnight on December 23, 1933- the doctor declared that she had arrived on December 22, just before midnight, but her mother knew better. To her, and to all of us, Carole’s birthday was always December 23.

Born on Lincoln Street to Dora (Pepin) and Sven Ekstrom, Carole was the younger sister of her beloved brother, Robert “Bob” Ekstrom. As a child, she spent countless hours exploring the fields and woods around Franklin with her brother and friends, building the love of family, community, and the outdoors that would remain with her throughout her life.

Known affectionately as “Swede” during her school years, Carole was a standout athlete. She played softball, volleyball, badminton, field hockey, and basketball, bringing the same quiet determination and team spirit to sports that she brought to everything else in life. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1951.

In 1955, Carole was married to the late William “Bill” Reid, who passed away in 2016. Together they welcomed three children and made their home across Lincoln Street from her mother, where Carole lived for the remainder of her life. In a beautiful bookend to her story, she passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at her home on Lincoln Street surrounded by the family she loved so dearly.

When her children were young, Carole was a den mother, volunteer, and constant presence. She was at every game, cheering not only for her own children but for their friends as well. She had a special place in the hearts of generations of children who knew her. She was sweet and silly, quiet and full of giggles. She loved playing cards and games, taking her kids, grandkids and great grand kids out for ice cream, watching sports, and cheering from the sidelines. She had a remarkable calm about her. She brought peace, stability, and strength to those around her, and she cared for others without ever asking for recognition. She was a caretaker in the truest sense of the word and provided unconditional love to those she cared about.

Carole cherished the traditions and adventures she shared with her family. As her children grew into adulthood and moved away, Carole embraced every opportunity to see them and her grandchildren, traveling to New York, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Guam, Georgia, Florida, and California. There were trips to Hawaii, Disneyland and Disney World, and countless miles traveled simply because someone she loved was there.

A lifelong and enthusiastic sports fan, Carole almost always had a game on television. She followed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren wherever they had sporting events, cheering from the sidelines whenever she could and rooting for them from home when she couldn’t. She never needed to be the center of attention; she was happiest being there for the people she loved.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, her brother, Bob, and her grandson, Ian Reid-Foley.

She is survived by her children, Donna Ryan and her husband, Kevin, of Franklin; Beverly Reid and her husband, David Foley, of Jacksonville, Florida; and James Reid and his wife, Natalie, of Valencia, California; as well as her former son-in-law, Paul Kinney.

She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Jeffrey Kinney, Michelle Conlin, Ashley Kinney, Hannah Sopak, David Reid-Foley, Emily Reid-Foley, Sean Reid-Foley, Jennifer French, Janice Rostron, Dr. Taylor O’Lear Reid, and Mitch Blancardi, along with sixteen great-grandchildren, who brought her immense joy and pride.

Carole’s life was defined not by grand gestures, but by a lifetime of small ones: showing up, listening, caring, laughing, cheering, comforting, and loving. She was a steady presence in the lives of so many, and her family will carry her warmth, strength, and quiet humor with them always. She dearly loved her family, and they loved her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service Tuesday September 8th, in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. at 10AM.

Burial will follow at Union Street Cemetery, Franklin.

Calling hours are Monday September 7th, from 4-7PM at the funeral home.

Guestbook www.franklinfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carole’s memory to The Jimmy Fund or St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital.