Fairlee, VT – Carol Penland, born Carol Billings, daughter of Darwood and Dixie Nell Billings of Post Texas, died peacefully in her sleep December 4th, 2025 after a long battle with Cancer.
Born April 13th, 1946, Carol was raised in Texas with her four sisters until they moved to Burlington, Vermont. Carol married Wayne Welsh in 1965, and welcomed two children, Christopher Paul Welsh, and Elizabeth Anne Welsh. She married Chuck Eaton in 1976, and in 1977 welcomed her youngest child, Sarah Southworth Eaton. Carol and Chuck started a successful antique auction business, Eaton Auction Service, which they ran for many years.
In the late 1990’s, Carol moved on, buying a piece of land with her sister Michelle, where they both cultivated beautiful gardens, and opened a business, Downtown Ely Gardens. Downtown Ely was popular with both local and summer residents of the area, and is remembered fondly to this day. During this time of her life, Carol discovered one of the greatest joys of her life, aside from gardening, which was art. She did a little of everything, and her home is filled with pieces of the beauty she created.
In 2001, she married her soulmate, David Penland, an artist and jeweler. For many years they would travel to Mexico in the winter, were they made life long friends there, and looked forward to their visits all year long.
Carol filled her life with color, laughter, and immense love. She loved her friends and family with all her heart. It is difficult to convey just how deeply she will be missed.
Predeceased by both her parents, her sister Cheryl, and her sister Jan, she is survived by her sisters Michelle Billings and Anne Billings, son Christopher Welsh, and his wife Cindy, daughter Elizabeth Johnson, daughter Sarah Eaton, and her husband Zack, her most beloved granddaughter Carlin Bigelow, and the absolute love of her life, her devoted husband David Penland.
The family invites you to join them in celebrating Carol’s life this Saturday, June 13th from 1pm-3pm at the home of David Penland, 2455 Route 5 South, Fairlee, VT.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes