Carolyn Ducaj

Carolyn Kirkham Mosher Ducaj, 98, of Santa Fe, passed away on December 6th. Carol was a vibrant woman and a cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be remembered for her curiosity, her kindness, and her adventurous spirit.

Born on July 7, 1926, in San Antonio, Texas, Carol was the daughter of Frederic Kirkham and Elizabeth (Betty) Chandler, and the sister of Theodore Kirkham. She spent her childhood between Missouri and Texas. She went to Oberlin College where she studied music and met her first husband, Henry Mosher (Hank).

Carol and Hank were married in December 1948 and settled in Denver, CO where they had four children. Carol kept her family busy with music and outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and picnicking. The family moved to Santa Fe in 1962. There she played the French horn in a local orchestra and became involved with the League of Women Voters. Hank was tragically killed in a car accident in 1964. Carol worked with the NM Legislature as a proofreader and went to UNM for teacher certification and began a career in teaching. She was a beloved teacher of special needs students in the Santa Fe Public Schools until her retirement, although she embodied the spirit of a teacher for the rest of her life. Over the years she has endeared herself to various pets; dogs, cats, a duck, and a pig.

Carol married her second husband Robert (Bob) Ducaj in 1977. Four more children joined the family: Robert, Mark, Cathy, and Scott. Upon retirement Carol and Bob did some traveling and enjoyed time together until he died suddenly in 1986.

Carol spent the last part of her life traveling, solo and with family. She nurtured her natural curiosity about the world and managed to set foot on all seven continents, which encouraged the same independence and sense of exploration in her children and grandchildren.

Carol had an energetic and generous soul; she volunteered for the St. Elizabeth Shelter, Rancho de las Golondrinas, Santa Fe Adult Literacy, and the Santa Fe Schools She was known for her love of classical music and was a member of the Sweet Adelines choral group. The mountains surrounding Santa Fe were a special place for her; she loved to hike with her dogs and skied until she was in her 80s. Her recent years were spent at Morningstar SF, with its wonderful and caring staff, which became a second family for her.

Carol is survived by her children, William Mosher (Molly), Laura Montoya (Andrew), Kirkham Mosher (Lisa), and Suzanne Mosher (Sam Crisi); her stepchildren, Cathy Ducaj (partner Tony Ortiz), and Scott Ducaj (Janice); her grandchildren, Christi Walsh (Matt), Elizabeth Lund (Brett), Alyssa Montoya, Sara Montoya (Scott Bonin), Katherine Montoya (Mitch Routman), Jenna Mosher, Kristen Mosher, and Michael Crisi (Kaila); her step-grandchildren Tiffany Ducaj, Emily Ducaj Perryman, and Sarah Ducaj; her great-grandchildren, Decker Walsh, Jack James Walsh, Madeline Lund, Jackson Bonin, and Evelyn Bonin. She was preceded in death by her brother Theodore Kirkham, her husbands Henry Mosher and Robert Ducaj, her stepsons Robert Ducaj and Mark Ducaj (Barbara), and her grandson Julian Crisi.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Carol’s room at Judi’s House in Denver CO, (judishouse.org), the