Carol McConville Dwyer, 88
Carol McConville Dwyer, age 88 and a longtime resident of Acton, passed away February 5, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. Carol McConville was born on February 8, 1937, in Framingham, the only child of the late Francis J. and Janet L. (Howell) McConville. She grew up just a few houses down from her five beloved cousins, whom she thought of as sisters until the day she passed.
As a girl, Carol enjoyed riding and swimming and competed in ice skating at the Boston Skating Club. After winning the New England Juveniles at 12, she continued to share her love of skating by participating in the annual Ice Chips show, teaching local kids to skate in Franconia, New Hampshire, and training for a sit-spin on her 60th birthday.
Her greatest joy in youth was attending Camp Bob-o-link in summer, first as a camper and later a counselor. She carried the friendships and memories from Bob-o-link throughout her life and always sought similar opportunities for others.
Carol attended Beaver Country Day School and Smith College and went on to study landscape architecture at Radcliffe. She met her future husband, James L. Dwyer, amid the halcyon ski club culture of the 1950s and early ’60s, and together they spent 50 years hiking and skiing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
She was a devoted member of First Parish in Acton and later in life became an activist for peace and social justice. After serving on the Acton Planning Board in the 1970s, she continued to work against pollution and for the protection and conservation of land.
Through it all she documented the lives of everyone she met — in photographs, video, and interviews. More than anything, she showed a deep interest in people and sincerely felt that their triumphs and tragedies were important and deserved to be recognized and remembered.
Carol is survived by her four children Sean Dwyer of Ringe, New Hampshire, Peter Dwyer of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Katherine Dwyer of Harvard, and Cullen Dwyer of Lunenburg; and her three grandchildren Khira, Rowan, and Taliah.
Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Carol at her memorial service on Saturday, February 28, at 11 a.m. at First Parish, 20 Lexington Road. Burial in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery will be private.
Arrangements under the care of Acton Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, Acton. To share a memory or offer a condolence, visit concordfuneral.com.
