Caroline 'Cee' Colburn

Mrs. Colburn was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Seaton Spalding and was raised in the New York City area.  She graduated from Vassar College and in 1930 she married Burnham S. Colburn, a prominent Asheville engineer and civic leader.  The Colburn family was active in banking, in developing Biltmore Forest, in founding the Colburn Mineral Museum and numerous other community projects.

Mrs. Colburn became a leader in philanthropic activities for many years in the Asheville area.  She was particularly interested in education, horticulture and beautification, and in her church.  She was past president of the Junior League.  She was also past president of the French Broad River Garden Club, helped build its complex on Hendersonville Road and received the Garden Club of America's highest national award in 1973.  She was active in the early stages of UNCA's Botanical Gardens.  She also served on the Vestry of All Soul's, the first woman on the vestry in its 67-year history and also the first woman ever to be on the vestry of a major parish in Asheville.  She was one of the founders of the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement home and served on its board for many years.  In education, Mrs. Colburn spearheaded the building of Asheville Country Day School (now Carolina Day School) at it present site, was a leading trustee of the James G.K. McClure Foundation and also the Board of Warren Wilson College, and of course advised the Colburn Educational Fund over the years.  She was unfailingly generous with these and many other deserving projects.

She is survived by three daughters, Dorothy Colburn Rice of Vermont, Elizabeth Colburn Williamson of Asheville, Caroline Colburn Gilbert of New Hampshire and a son, Burnham S. Colburn, Jr. of Asheville.  Also surviving are numerous grandchildren including Abigail Colburn and Caroline Williamson, BSRN, both of Asheville and Dr. Weldon Kent Williamson, a fellow of vascular surgery in Portland, Ore.

Memorials should be made to the Colburn Mineral Museum, P.O. Box 1617, Asheville, NC 28802.

A memorial service will be at 4:30 pm Saturday, August 22, 1998 in All Soul's Cathedral.