Carla May Hawryluk, 92, of Bedford, was an active volunteer at library, golf and tennis club, and church
- Thane Grauel
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 26

Carla May Hawryluk, 92, died April 14, 2025, at her home in Bedford after a period of declining health.
She was born Carla May Thorsell on Jan. 17, 1933, in Rockville Center to Carl and May Thorsell. Her happy childhood was interrupted when she was accidentally run over while playing in her family’s driveway in West Hempstead. Emergency brain surgery saved her life, but left her suffering from seizures into her early 20s. Despite these challenges, she graduated from Hempstead High School and went on to earn an associate’s degree from Green Mountain College.
An interest in nursing was thwarted when she realized she couldn’t stand the sight of blood. She moved to Manhattan, where she worked at Design Research and met the love of her life, Ted Hawryluk. They married and bought a fixer-upper on 12 wooded acres in Bedford, and soon welcomed twins. Her family said she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend to many, and was connected to her community through the Bedford Free Library, Bedford Golf & Tennis Club, the Bedford Democratic Party, and the Bedford Presbyterian Church, among other organizations.
She also was an avid reader, lover of music and theater, adventurous traveler, amazing cook and entertainer, and engaged follower of politics. Animals were a particular passion and she supported many animal rights organizations.
She is survived by her daughter, Christa, son-in-law, Jeff Collins, and two grandchildren, of Concord, Mass. She was predeceased by her husband Ted, son Paul, and sister Alice Hirson Elliott.
A celebration of Carla’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at the Bedford Presbyterian Church, Village Green, Bedford.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Bedford Free Library, 32 Village Green, Bedford, NY 10506.