Carol Colton Steckel, a Chautauqua native and resident of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, passed away in her sleep early Monday, October 19. She was the daughter of Earl Orlando Colton and Francella Brace Colton.

Born in Jamestown on November 5, 1932, Carol’s parents were year-round residents on the Grounds, first at 29 Janes and later at 18 Forest. A 1950 graduate of Chautauqua Central, Carol spoke her mind, loved a good joke, and was loved by many. She lived independently for over three decades. Her strength during her final years was awesome and inspiring.

Carol’s great-grandfather built houses and structures on the Grounds when Chautauqua was known as Fair Point. Her grandfather’s family moved onto the Grounds in 1891, where her father was born and became the owner of Baker & Colton Hardware store in Mayville and during the summer in the Colonnade Building. Her mother taught school and hailed from a large Mayville family.

Carol met her husband, Edwin (“Ned”) Steckel, at Syracuse University. After graduation she briefly taught elementary school, but soon after focused on raising a family and supporting her husband’s career. Ned went on to become a successful sports television producer, and Carol remained his most trusted critic, watching Wide World of Sports with pencil and paper in hand and providing gentle feedback after each broadcast. Together they traveled to countless sports events and Olympic Games around the world. Though she was blasé about having seen the “1980 Miracle on Ice” in person, she was an avid tennis player and counted among her greatest thrills hitting a few tennis balls with Rod Laver.

Carol was blessed with a rich life, full of love, family and friends. While Chautauqua was always home base, she made many dear friends in Pocantico Hills, New York, Naples, Florida and since 2011, within the wonderful South Franklin Circle community in Chagrin Falls. This year she was thrilled to return to Chautauqua to catch the end of the 2026 season and savored a glorious September on her porch at 16 Hurst.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Adrian Brace Colton and John Orlando Colton; her son, Edwin "Ted" Moore Steckel III; and her former husband, Edwin "Ned" Moore Steckel Jr. She is survived by her son, Stephen Colton Steckel; her grandson, Zachary Falk Steckel; her daughter-in-law, Jianli Qi; and her step-granddaughter, Pan Qi.

Service details will be announced at a later date.

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com