Carol L. Kirkland

January 7, 1932 - November 12, 2020

Methuen – Carol L. (Rymes) Kirkland, 88 of Lexington, died Thursday, November 12, 2020 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank Kirkland. Born in Lexington, MA on January 7, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Christopher E. and Marion L. (Brown) Rymes. She graduated from Lexington High School and previously worked as a cook at Belmont Day School in Belmont, MA. Carol was a member of the Follen Unitarian Universalist Church in Lexington, MA, where she had perfect attendance for 13 years and also sang in the choir. In her free time, she enjoyed painting, gardening, and flower arranging. She also loved to travel with her husband throughout the U.S., as well as Europe, Asia, and Australia. She went on a 3 month freighter ship adventure with her husband, which they both loved. Carol enjoyed spending her summers at Suncook Lake in Barnstead, NH, where she liked to entertain family and friends. In her final years, she lived with her daughter, Donna, and son-in-law, Alan. Carol will be deeply missed by her 6 children, Gail Sirois and her husband, James, of Florida, Donna Abate and her husband, Alan, of Methuen, J. Lynn Whitney and her husband, Fred, of Arlington, MA, Janice Febonio and her husband, George, of Peabody, Frank Kirkland and his wife, Mary, of Salem, NH, and Beverly Wheeler and her husband, Brian, of Michigan; 14 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grand; her sister, Beverly Rymes of Lexington; her sister-in-law, Margaret Rymes of Lexington; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Frank Rymes. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen is honored to serve the Kirkland family.