Greenfield, MA – Carolyn R. (Stotz) McLellan, 95, of Lovers Lane, Greenfield, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026, at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. She was born in Montague on July 16, 1930, the daughter of Herbert and Elizabeth (Whitney) Stotz.
Carolyn graduated from Greenfield High School in 1948. She attended Greenfield Community College and was the first woman from GCC to be accepted to Smith College as a junior. She majored in English, with a minor in philosophy. She was a lifelong learner, and earned three Masters degrees. She taught English at Greenfield Community College for many years until her retirement. When she wasn’t teaching, she travelled to other countries to teach English as a second language. She never tired of teaching and caring about her students.
A lover of dance, Carolyn took advanced training as far away as London. She taught ballet, tap, and acrobatics to young children and adults at her dance studio in Greenfield and in surrounding towns. Later, she taught ballroom dancing, traveling to different venues in western Massachusetts to teach adults.
Carolyn and her dear friend, Pat, spent many hours rescuing stray cats, having them spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Her cats brought joy to her life.
Among her survivors, Carolyn leaves her stepson, John McLellan, and his wife Mary, of Southington, CT, her stepdaughter, Cynthia Meaux, and husband Thomas, of Belchertown, MA; grandchildren Elizabeth Meaux, Sarah Dvorchak and husband Matt, Nathan Meaux and wife, Lyndsay; several great grandchildren; and nieces Lori (Stotz) Gross and Sue (Stotz) Swenson.
She was pre-deceased by her husband Thomas McLellan and her stepdaughter Karen McLellan.
Funeral services and burial will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com
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