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Carol Ellsworth Wilkinson ’51

Carol Ellsworth Wilkinson ’51, August 8, 2001, in Los Angeles. After attending Reed for several years, she worked for Boeing Aircraft Company in Portland. She married in 1950 and had two children. In 1951 the family moved to Southern California, and she and her husband divorced in 1955. She went to work for Hughes Aircraft Company, and during this time she returned to school at the University of Southern California, earning a BA in mathematics in 1969. She became a registered professional engineer in 1977. At Hughes she advanced to become the first and highest-ranking woman in a technical management position, as associate manager of the systems engineering laboratory, electro-optical, and data systems group. She retired in 1985. She was a 40-year member of the American Statistical Association and was written up in the 1970–71 Who’s Who of American Women. A gifted musician, she played piano and organ and was involved in theatrical and musical productions. In 1971 she remarried, and she and her husband enjoyed traveling, gardening, volunteer work, and staying in touch with family. Survivors include her husband, two sons, three stepchildren, nine grandchildren, a sister, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Appeared in Reed magazine: November 2001

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