Carleen Pembroke Van Siclen, a beloved wife, mother, "Mamere," sister, aunt, friend, teacher, and devoted medical laboratory scientist, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with ALS. She was 62 years old.

Carleen's life was one of strength, commitment, faith, and lasting impact. Her legacy lives on not only in her family but in the countless students and colleagues whose lives she touched through her work in the field of medical laboratory science education.

Born in Montpelier, Vermont, and raised in the close-knit family community of Pembroke Heights in Montpelier, Carleen was one of four siblings raised by Thomas and Carla Pembroke. Life on the family farmland with her brothers, Tim and Todd, and sister, Cathleen (Brouillette), was full of deep-rooted family bonds and early values of faith, family, and education—principles that guided her throughout her life.

Carleen's academic journey began at the State University of New York at Cobleskill (SUNY), where she met the love of her life, Gary Van Siclen. She later transferred to Norwich University in Northfield, VT, where her passion for medical laboratory science unfolded. A required internship led her to University Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida, which was the first step in building a new life and lasting home in Florida.

She and Gary were married at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Montpelier, and part of their honeymoon was spent driving south to Jacksonville—a trip that marked the beginning of decades of love, laughter, and shared purpose. Together, they raised two children, Denise (Travis) and Daryl, with the kind of love and encouragement that Carleen gave freely to everyone she encountered.

Carleen's professional life was a powerful blend of scientific rigor and heartfelt mentorship. She began as a weekend supervisor at University Medical Center. She then transitioned to the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Program Director at Lake City Community College. At the same time, she worked at Baptist Medical Center, she also earned her M.S. in Health Services Administration, balancing work and education with characteristic determination.

Carleen's leadership truly flourished at Mayo Clinic's lab at St. Luke's Hospital. She first served as Lead Technologist, then Core Lab Supervisor, and played an instrumental role in designing the current Mayo Clinic Lab. In 2009, she became the Education Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, a role that aligned beautifully with her dual passions: medical laboratory science and teaching. By 2016, Carleen had found her true calling as Manager of Laboratory Staff Education and Development, uniting decades of experience with a deep love for mentorship and training.

As an assistant professor, she taught at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, the University of North Florida, and Santa Fe College. But her influence extended beyond the classroom, she consulted for the American Association of Bioanalysis and was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, where she served two terms, including as Chair.

However, her crowning achievement was co-authoring the 9th edition of Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques, and Correlations, a widely respected textbook that brought her real-world expertise to students nationwide. Finally, in 2018, she was the first to be awarded the "Distinguished Allied Health Educator of the Year," a fitting tribute to a lifetime of dedication.

In her free time, she found joy in sharing meaningful life lessons with her children — including teaching each of them how to drive a stick shift. She embraced every opportunity to be present in their lives, proudly serving as the swim team mom. A woman of deep faith, she was an active member of her Catholic parish, where she taught the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and youth alike. When not volunteering or spending time with her family, she enjoyed scrapbooking, lovingly preserving the memories she held dear.

Carleen faced her ALS diagnosis with characteristic grace and resolve. Even as the disease progressed, she remained a source of perseverance and light to those around her. She is survived by her devoted husband of 40+ years, Gary, their children Denise and Daryl, and grandchildren Cole Wade and Cali Carleen—who brought her endless pride and joy. She also leaves behind her beloved mother Carla, brothers Tim and Todd, sister Cathleen Brouillette, and extended family Jamie, Liam, and Sophie, along with countless cousins, friends, former students, and colleagues who were inspired by her life.

A funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 10472 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 3 pm. A Celebration of Life will follow immediately afterwards at the church hall -Carleen requests everyone wear brightly colored clothing in memory of her to the Celebration of Life. A second service will follow in Carleen's hometown of Montpelier, Vermont, at St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Friday, September 26, 2025. Funeral mass at 10:30 am, followed by her burial at Doty Cemetery in East Montpelier, VT.

The family asks that donations be made in Carleen's honor to an ALS Association of your choice, supporting continued research, care, and advocacy for those affected by ALS.