'GMA' team pays tribute to Lara Spencer's mom Carolyn Von Seelen
The "Good Morning America" team pays tribute to co-anchor Lara Spencer's mother, Carolyn Von Seelen, who died Feb. 13, 2026, at age 85. Read the tribute below.
Today, we're remembering a member of our "Good Morning America" family: Lara Spencer's mother Carolyn Von Seelen, who died Friday at 85 years old. She was a wonderful mother to her six children, grandmother to 12 and great-grandmother to four.
Over the years, Carolyn spent quite a bit of time at "GMA" -- behind the scenes and even on camera -- as she proudly watched Lara do what she does best.
So much of what we all love (and you see) about Lara comes from her mother.
She was wise, funny, and loved a good yard sale. Carolyn always said she began thrifting because she had more kids than money. She happily took Lara, her youngest child, on all of her adventures, whether it was dumpster diving and repurposing a chair with good bones or finding unique Christmas decorations at the local Goodwill store. She taught Lara how to be creative and stylish on a budget.
One of Lara's favorite memories of her mother, she says, is when she and her mom took a trip to the "World's Longest Yard Sale" for "GMA." The pair started in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and went down to Alabama, bargain hunting the whole way and finding ways to turn "trash" into treasure.
That trip reminded them both of what really matters, Lara says: "Being together, which is the true treasure."
Carolyn also had a memorable appearance on "GMA," sharing her famous Cowboy Casserole, a reliable staple in the Von Seelen household.
Carolyn always had a twinkle in her eye, and she could make anything fun.
"If you were lucky enough to meet my mom, you know that smile that lit up every room she walked into," Lara recalls. "What you might not have seen at first glance was her courage, resilience, endless optimism, deep faith and boundless love for her family. She was a woman who loved a saying -- she had one for everything -- and she used them often to get through life's challenges or painful moments."
One of Carolyn's favorite sayings: "Don't be sad it's over, honey -- be happy it happened."
Lara's "GMA" producers Kelly Hagan and Sabrina Peduto remember Carolyn coming along on several trips, much to their delight, always sharing her great insights on life and caring advice -- forever up for a good time.
Even with the intensity of working in television production, Carolyn encouraged them not to forget about having their own children and tending to their own families, advice they both heeded and for which they will always be grateful.
"GMA" co-anchor George Stephanopoulos fondly recalls how Carolyn would come to "GMA" excited to see her daughter work but not wanting to be in the way, standing in the corner, always with a big smile.
"GMA" co-anchor Robin Roberts remembers Carolyn being exceptionally kind. Without telling anyone, Carolyn once surprised Robin at a speaking engagement, bringing along a handful of her many friends from her community in Sarasota to cheer Robin on.
Robin says, regarding Carolyn and Lara, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Lara says she and her siblings hope their mom is "having a cocktail while thrift shopping at the fabulous flea market in the sky with her best friends, our dad and our late sister Pamela by her side."
Our hearts are with her and her whole family.
