Dr. Carolyn 'Cala' Shields passed away on October 14, 2014, in Baton Rouge peacefully and in the presence of her family. She was born in Harrisonburg, VA, on July 18, 1944. Cala is survived by her two sisters and two brothers, Suzanne Lavergne and spouse Daly (Baton Rouge), Donna Shields (Baton Rouge), Robert Shields (Chiapas, Mexico)and Patrick and spouse Nancy (Risyville, Va), nieces and nephews Tristan, Devin and Rory Shields; Katy and Hank Byers; Sean Lavergne, Kim Dakin, Kelli Hamilton along with great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents Bob and Luise Shields and sister Mary Shields Byers. Cala received her doctorate at the University of Texas and was a professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa for over thirty years. As a member of the college curriculum committee she was instrumental in getting an M.A. program in Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation instituted, making UNI the first institution of higher learning in Iowa to offer such a program. Cala had no children of her own but considered her students as her charges to be instructed with superior knowledge and treated them as friends, colleagues and special people in her life. Her helpfulness to her students and colleagues was unstinting and she was known for her tireless energy, keen mind and generous spirit. She was a citizen of the world having grown up as a child of parents who traveled extensively overseas in the service of the U.S. Department of State. She also served as a Fulbright Scholar in Spain, Poland and Ecuador. A Celebration of her life will be held on Oct. 26, 2014, in Baton Rouge from 2-4 pm.
Published in TheAdvocate.com from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20, 2014.