Carrel Conley

Carrel Conley was born on April 21, 1933 in New York City to Grace and Richard Conley, but home was Ridgefield, Connecticut. Carrel was the second of 4 daughters, (sisters Grace, Elaine & Joan), all of whom spent their first years in Ridgefield.

During World War II they were they all moved to the San Francisco area to be closer to their Father, a Navy pilot flying in the Pacific. The girls attended Sacred Heart School in San Francisco. At end of the war they returned home to Connecticut where they attended the Sacred Heart School in Greenwich, CT. After graduating, Carrel received her RN and BSN in nursing at St Vincent's in New York City.

In 1959 when Grace and Dick bought a ranch in Patagonia, Arizona, Carrel moved out west with them as did her sister Joan. She participated in her father’s retirement pursuit of cattle ranching and racing quarter horses, as well as competing in hunter jumper competitions.

All along she continued her professional career in nursing, first in Nogales at Holy Cross Hospital, and then in Tucson where she moved in 1968. Carrel excelled as head nurse of Neurology Neurosurgery at Tucson Medical Center, running a tight ship that demanded excellence, while being fair and honest. Later Carrel became a Diabetes Educator, receiving the honor of finalist for Diabetes Educator of the Year in 1993. Carrel was a hardworking, knowledgeable and compassionate nurse, both devoted to her patients and highly respected by her co-workers- many of whom remained lifelong friends.

In 2000 Carrel retired and moved back to Patagonia full time, where she spent the last years of her life at her beloved Rocking Chair Ranch, always inviting family and friends to enjoy her hospitality. Carrel was an active and well known community participant, especially at her Catholic Church. Carrel passed away peacefully at the ranch on Aug 27, 2018 after suffering the effects of ALS.

We all will miss her very much.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to:
Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department or St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church Patagonia