Carol Virginia Duncan Brient, loving partner, doting mother, and "sticker grandma," passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at the age of 83. She was born on December 21, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of the Rev. Herbert Ewing Duncan and Evelyn Jessie (Weeks) Duncan. A creative artist, Carol earned bachelors and masters degrees in education at the University of Kansas and taught high school art for several years prior to having children. She was devoted to family and could always be found at her childrens sporting events, performances, and plays. She often said that, looking back on her life, she was proudest of being a mom and, later, a grandmother. For her grandchildren, a visit to her house was always a treat... she was known for her BBQ ribs, pot roast, apple pie, orange bread, and oatmeal cookies...no one ever left hungry. When her children were grown, she became an avid fisherperson, spending countless hours with John Harpe, her partner of more than 20 years, catching fish from their dock on the St. Johns River near Palatka and from their boat in the Gulf of Mexico near Horseshoe Beach. Her prize catch was a 38" redfish, landed in the pouring rain. Her interest in art never waned, and she maintained a pottery studio everywhere she lived for the past 30 years, sharing her passion (and lots of pottery) with anyone who would sit and take the time to throw a pot with her. In 2016, she and John moved to his farm in Melrose, where she enjoyed gardening and watching the deer, turkeys and extensive wildlife that would roam across the fields at dusk. She also cherished time with Johns sisters, children, and grandchildren. She is survived by her longtime partner, John Harpe of Melrose, FL; her three loving children and their spouses, Paul Brient and Cathy Scholz of Fort Myers Beach, FL, Scott Brient and Tina Gravenstein of Roswell, GA, and Carrie and Brian DeFoe of Bainbridge Island, WA; and her eight grandchildren, Tyler (22), Josh (20), Daniel (20), Isabella (17), Thomas (16), Lukas (16), Zachary (13), and Willem (10); as well as the many friends and members of the Harpe family who became regular and welcome visitors around her kitchen table. She is also survived by her two brothers, Burris "Duke" Duncan of Tucson, AZ, and Herbert Ewing Duncan, Jr., of Topsham, ME. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Bruce W. Brient, a well-known surgeon in Gainesville. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home Chapel with Internment to follow at Eliam Cemetery in Melrose with a subsequent reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Haven Hospice Palatka. Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. Walker Dr., Keystone Heights, FL 32656. (352)473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com Cemetery Eliam Cemetery 861 State Road 21 North Melrose FL 32666 US Graveside Saturday, October 15, 2022 Eliam Cemetery 861 State Road 21 North Melrose FL 32666 US Funeral Service Saturday, October 15, 2022 11:00 AM - Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL 32656 US (352) 473-3176 Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL - 32656 US (352) 473-3176