Carla Danielle Lamphere

Traverse City - Carla Danielle Lamphere, 67, of Traverse City passed away Saturday, October 25, 2014 at her Traverse City home, surrounded by her loving family. Born on Friday, July 18, 1947 in Bay City, Carla was the daughter of Chauncey and Dorothy (Kibby) Wood. Following her graduation from the Leelanau School in Glen Arbor, Carla attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. On Saturday, June 20, 1970, Carla married Ward Lamphere in Bay City. They made their home in Birmingham, MI from 1970 until 2010, when they moved to Traverse City. Carla began her career in banking in 1970 followed by 32 very rewarding years as Executive Director of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra. After retiring and moving up north, she became Vice President of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. Her passion for volunteering continued with her involvement with the Grand Traverse County court system as conservator and guardian. Carla’s business card read “Pursuer of Lofty Undertakings,” and that summed her up perfectly. A self-proclaimed lover of life, she had many passions, included writing, yoga, tennis, golf, pickleball, biking, kayaking, and hiking. Carla was an inspiration and joy to all who knew her. She was the consummate wife, mother, neighbor, and friend. She truly had a heart of gold – and everyone loved her. Carla is survived by her husband Ward; her son Benjamin Lamphere and his wife Stephanie (Dacey) of Traverse City, her daughter Jessica Lamphere of San Diego, CA; five grandchildren (Ryan Lamphere, Katie Lamphere, Winston Lamphere, Mera Lamphere, and Angelica Prieto), her sister Michael (Fancher) Jansen of Cyprus; and her brothers Jon Wood of Orlando, FL and Roger Wood of Las Vegas, NV. A private family gathering will be held in lieu of a formal public service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra. P. O. Box 1925, Birmingham, MI 48012 (www.bbso.org) or The Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 300 E. Front St. Ste 230, Traverse City, MI 49684 (www.traversesymphony.org) Your thoughts and memories of Carla may be shared with her family by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Carla Danielle Lamphere

July 18, 1947 - October 25, 2014