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Carolyn Elizabeth Huff
October 10, 1941 - April 9, 2022
Carolyn Gurklis Huff died on April 9, 2022. She was born in Freeport, Texas, on October 10, 1943, to Ada and Pete Gurklis.
She grew up in Freeport, and Lake Jackson, and graduated valedictorian from Brazosport High School in 1957. She attended Rice University in Houston and graduated Magna Cum Lauded and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1963. In June of that year, she married and continued her education, receiving a Masters in English literature from the University of Texas in 1969. She taught English literature at Brazoswood High school for 33 years, a brilliant and beloved teacher. She adored her students, with whom she remained friends for many years.
Carolyn had a great sense of humor, was a delightful wit, a loyal friend, a fine neighbor who went out of her way to help others in the community. She loved gardening on their beautiful plot at the Lake Jackson Farms, and she was a lover of literature and music, especially opera. She and her husband later became patrons of Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen(OEDK) at Rice.
Carolyn is survived by her husband of 58 years, Harrell Huff.
There will be no services. Carolyn ashes will be spread around the 19 Bayou Rd home place. In place of flowers you can go to http://oedk.rice.edu/gift/ to make a gift in honor Carolyn.
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Suzanne Vancil (York)
She was a tough teacher, but an inspiration to me. I still have my Sr. English notebook. And on the front, "Huffism" 😊👍🏼💐 Yes, here's to you, CH❣️
Mary Jo Heimbigner (Shortes)
Carolyn Huff was one of the most influential mentors of my lifetime... she demanded that her students reach their full potential with no excuses. I was very saddened to learn of her demise & will always feel honored that she and her husband attended my 66th birthday celebration at Surfside which was the last time we sparred in person😍 May she Rest In Peace and always be remembered fondly 🙏🏽♥️🙏🏽
Ed Hale
Carolyn Huff prepared me for college and much of life. And the most important skill she taught me was actively listening to people. I hated it when she called on me in class because she wanted me to think and respond with college-level answers. So when she looked my way, I would casually glance at something across the room. Sure enough, that's when she would call on me. Then one day, I thought I would try looking intently at her as if I knew the answer(s).
Something happened. Within that intense stare, I started listening in a different way to what she was saying. I could suddenly hear the thought or main ideas she was trying to communicate. I wrote them down. Come test time, I did alright!
Later in life, as a minister, I became a counselor and life coach. Guess what the most important skill was? Active listening.
Thank you, Carolyn.