Carole Close Vollmer

Carole Close Vollmer was born April 13, 1948, in Berkeley, California, to Perry Close and Norma Landry Close. Besides northern California, she spent part of her early childhood in Austin, Texas, where her father was earning his doctorate in zoology. At the age of eight, she moved with her mother to Jeanerette, Louisiana, where her family engaged in the farming of sugar cane. She graduated from Jeanerette High School in 1966. She continued her education by receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tulsa. She achieved a Master of Education degree from Tulane University in 1977. While in New Orleans she taught at Academy of the Sacred Heart and then Ursuline Academy. She subsequently became a counselor and vice principal at Belle Chasse Academy, a school for dependents of military families.  Also, while in New Orleans, she met and married David Vollmer. They had one child, Jeffery Robert Vollmer. Besides David and Jeffrey, she is survived by her half-brother Carl Close. She and David moved to Taos, New Mexico, in 2005. Carole suffered from interstitial lung disease for several years and was later diagnosed with cancer in early 2023. She began undergoing treatment for cancer, but that had to be discontinued when she developed several different illnesses in rapid succession. She died on July 8, 2023.  Her friends all knew of the great love she had for her pets. She also enjoyed traveling, both within the United States and internationally. She lived one summer in Dublin, Ireland, studying the Irish language; this experience had a deep influence on her outlook.  While in Taos she worked as a volunteer for Shared table, a non-profit commodity distribution program. Always a book lover, she worked for Moby Dickens Bookstore, which became Op. Cit. Bookstore. She later became an employee of Taos Public Schools. She became a prominent member of the local mystery book club. In addition to reading and caring for her pets, she pursued painting as a hobby and enjoyed experiencing the natural beauty of the Taos area. A memorial service will be scheduled in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stray Hearts Animal Shelter in Taos. The family of Carole Close Vollmer has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019