Ms. Carolyn Conaway

CAROLYN BRUNETTA "JEWELL" CONAWAY, also known as "Dillie" was born February 13, 1945 to Carrie Louise Jewell "Mudea" in Blakely, Georgia. Her biological father is unknown although she found a father in Foster Kelly (Sparta, GA), who married Carrie Louise in 1966. Carolyn was raised by her maternal grandmother, Carrie Mae "Jewell" Hill, lived in Blakely until age 13 (1958) and moved to Newark, New Jersey to live with her Mudea. In 1962, Carolyn gave birth to Cynthia Jewell and Alice Jean Conaway in 1964. Carolyn Jewell married Bernie Conaway (Lumber City, GA) married in Newark, New Jersey in 1965 and divorced 1980. Carolyn attended Washington Elementary School (Blakely, GA), Clinton Place Jr. HS (Newark, NJ), and South Side HS (Newark, NJ). While raising her daughters as a single parent, Carolyn worked at Woodbridge State School (Avenel, NJ) and the Veterans Administrative Hospital (East Orange, NJ). Carolyn entered the healthcare arena by completing the Newark Manpower Training Skill Center Licensed Practical Nurse Program (1974) and in 1979 earned her Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from Essex County College (Newark, NJ). In 1977, Carolyn's nursing career with St. Michael's Medical Center (Newark, NJ) spanned 33 years in Newark, NJ until she retired in 2010. She held positions as a floating LPN to becoming a full-time LPN staff nurse; from staff nurse in neurology to coordinator of the neurology department; and as a staff nurse of obstetrics and gynecology. In 1989, during the height of the Acquired Immune Disease (AIDS) epidemic, Carolyn became an advocate for AIDS patients for better education, access to medical treatment, and nurse expert on infectious disease through the AIDS/HIV clinic at St. Michael's. Carolyn was preceded in death by her mother, Carrie Louise Kelly and step-father Foster Kelly; her grandmother, Carrie Mae Hill and step-grandfather, John Hill; loving cousins, and best friend, Diane Johnson. Carolyn Brunetta Conaway life, memories, and being "Dillie" will be lovingly cherished in our hearts. Carolyn's lived to see the Jewell branches expand beyond her mom and her generation. Carolyn is survived by: daughters - Cynthia F. Jewell (Norfolk, VA) and Alice J. Conaway (Syracuse, NY), both native of NJ; grand-children - Jihahn K. Conaway, Sr. (Paterson, NJ), Shatara M. Jewell-Mackey (Suffolk, VA), and Charné N. Jewell-Hart (Norfolk, VA); great-grandchildren - Janiyah Conaway (West Orange, NJ), Jihahn K. Conaway, Jr. (West Orange, NJ), Naomi I. Mackey, Terrell S. Mackey, Jr., and Jayce K. Conaway; and, a great-uncle, Willie C. 'Sunbuddy' Jewell (AL).

Ms. Carolyn Conaway

February 13, 1945 - August 23, 2022