CAROLINE MARILLA VEITH
CLASS OF 1956
Caroline Marilla Veith is a 1956 graduate of Rice Avenue Union High School. She is the daughter of Josephine Clayton and George McKee Veith and had two brothers George Clayton and John Joseph. Both of Carolyn's parents are descendants of Erie area settlers circa 1790. During high school, Caroline was very active in many activities and clubs. She participated in UGA, the Library Club, Tri-Hi-Y, Y-teens, FHA, FTA, Drama Club, Photography Club and Unitas staff to name a few. Her senior year she was voted "Most Athletic". To this day Caroline has a love of sports.Â
From 1960 to 1964, Caroline enrolled in Penn State Behrend Evening Extension Classes, concentrating in Math and Drafting Design. Caroline began working in Industrial Drafting and Design in 1964, working for several companies over the years. She worked at Anson Tools and Gauges designing molds, Zurn Industries completing waste water treatment plans and at Rogers Brothers Trailers in Albion completing designs for their trailers. Caroline enjoyed a lengthy career in Industrial Drafting and Design, successfully retiring from a career in a field which was predominantly all male, surprising many with her abilities and leading the way for many other women in the workforce today. In addition to working in the drafting field, Caroline was also an instructor of Board and Computer Aided Drafting and Design at TriAngle Tech's Erie campus from 1988 to 2010.
Fueled by her heritage, Caroline possesses a love for history of Erie County. Caroline is a lifelong member of the Hazel Kibler Museum in Girard. She helped with the Historic Ghost Walks in Girard, that many of you may have enjoyed. Recently she orchestrated the relocation from its Main Street location to its present home in the Girard Borough office. Caroline is also a life member of the Erie County Historical Society and is very active with many of its activities in West County, especially those involving the White House and Yellow House in Girard. If you want to know anything about West County history, chances are a question to Caroline will provide all the information you need.Â
Girard area residents have benefited from Caroline's many activities. Caroline was a member of the Girard Recreation Board. She was particularly crucial to the construction of the "new" community pool in Girard, being responsible for painting the black racing lines on the pool bottom every spring - earning a sunburn for her efforts. Caroline was a founding member and still serves on the Dan Rice Days committee, assisting with the setup in the park for the vendors and crafters, staffing the information booth, helping with the parade alignment, and ensuring its on-time start. Other Girard activities include membership of the Elk Valley Garden Club which maintains the park and Civil war monument and serving on the Girard Zoning Board.
Caroline's volunteer efforts also continue by serving on the Christian Cupboard Board, helping feed the Area needy families, ringing the Salvation Army bell at Christmas at the Girard Giant Eagle, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and helping raise funds to incorporate the Rice Avenue Union High School header onto the landscape of the new Rice Avenue Middle School. Caroline also volunteered in the Girard Concession Booth during home football games. Additionally Caroline is a member of the United Methodist Church of Girard and served on its 200th Anniversary Celebration committee.
