CAROLYN CARRUTH RIZZA
08/07/1944 - 12/27/2022
Carolyn Carruth Rizza, 78 of Grove City, PA passed away at her residence on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, due to complications from auto immune diseases. She was born in Sherman, Texas to Allen H. “Buddy” Carruth and Ethel Mae Greasley Carruth. She was the beloved wife of Paul F. Rizza whom she married on July 28, 1979. Paul described Carolyn as a scholar, compassionate, capable, sensitive, and admired for her support of many charitable organizations.
Carolyn graduated from St John’s School in Houston, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Duke University and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She earned her Ph.D. in Medical Sociology from Duke University.
Carolyn retired in 1999 from Slippery Rock University (SRU) where she was a professor. She also chaired the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work for several years.
Carolyn was a former president of the AGHE (Association for Gerontology in Higher Education) and served on the board of the Butler Visiting Nurses Association for over 20 years. Carolyn was the current president of the board of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy at the time of her death.
Carolyn was a lifelong horsewoman. She loved horse shows, fox hunting, horse breeding and trail riding. She began her riding career when she was a young child in Texas and continued throughout her life. She owned many great horses and won numerous awards and championships throughout the years especially on her two most beloved mounts- Felony and Storm Harbor. Carolyn was a member of the Rolling Rock Hunt and Chagrin Valley Hunt. In her later years she discovered beagling and went out on foot with the Chagrin Valley Beagle pack. She was a member and supporter of numerous equine organizations. Carolyn’s last ride was on November 30, 2022.
Her cherished horse, Dutch Harbor, will miss her.
One of her greatest legacies is the founding of the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center named after her beloved horse. Carolyn was instrumental in the establishment and success of the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center which was founded in 2005. Carolyn chaired the Equestrian Center Board since its inception. Her footprint will live on at the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center and her caring nature will fuel the center to continue to do great things.
She was a member of the North Liberty Presbyterian Church and choir. She was a faithful member of the Bach Society for many years. An avid travel enthusiast, she and her beloved husband visited all 7 continents and 87 countries.
Carolyn and her husband Paul actively supported the community including the restoration of Carruth Rizza Hall on the campus of SRU and the establishment of two Rotary Peace Fellowships at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They traveled to many international Rotary Conferences and supported several peace initiatives and numerous Rotary programs.
Survivors include her husband Paul at home; 2 stepdaughters, Laura Grace (Robert Merriam) Rizza; Sandie J. (Kent) Howe all of San Diego, CA; 2 brothers, Brady F. (Zane) Carruth of Houston, TX; and John Allen (Linda) Carruth of Austin, TX; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at North Liberty Presbyterian Church at a later date and time to be announced in this publication. Memorial Contributions may be made to Storm Harbor Equestrian Center at Slippery Rock University or Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.