Carola Helen Eldridge

Carola Helen Eldridge, age 71, of Lady’s Island, passed away on February 12, 2016, at her home after a brief illness. Her family and close friends were by her side. Born in Parkstone, England, to Helen and Arthur Padley, Carola was the youngest of five children. She became a naturalized American citizen in 1950, growing up in Scarsdale and Irvington, New York, and graduating from the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, and Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey. With family ties in England, she studied and traveled in the country throughout her life. Her most recent trip was in August 2015, when she visited the Lake District, the New Forest, and the gardens of various stately homes. She helped arrange a surprise 90th birthday party for her brother Chris in Lytham St. Annes. Carola worked as a garden designer in Massachusetts for many years, retiring to Beaufort, South Carolina, in 2006. She was employed at Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center, where she worked as a consumer advocate and was a local and regional leader for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She often spoke to public and private groups about managing and living with mental illness. Carola shared her love of art by organizing many art programs that served as therapy and an avenue for personal expression for those she mentored. She derived a great deal of pleasure helping clients achieve success. In addition to her love for flowers, plants, and gardening, Carola enjoyed playing Scrabble, watching movies, afternoon tea, her succession of Jack Russell terriers, and Elvis Presley. Carola is survived by two brothers, Martin Padley and his wife, Melissa, of Hudson, Massachusetts, and Chris Chalom of Lytham St. Annes, England; sisters-in-law Barbara Chalon of Ardsley, New York, and Phyllis Chalom of Brent Knoll, England; nephews Andy Chalom of Lytham St. Annes, Morton Chalom of Northville, Michigan, and Jonathan Chalon of New Canaan, Connecticut; and a niece, Mary Chalon, of Pasadena, California. Carola’s memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in her memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lowcountry (P. O. Box 24128, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925), or Tidewater Hospice (10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton, SC 29910).