Iva Caruso

WAREHAM — Iva (Barstow) Caruso, formerly of Abington, died peacefully in the presence of family members, on June 22, 2008. She had battled heart disease for more than 18 years, amazing friends and family with her stamina and continued love for life.

She was born in Rockland, the daughter of Arthur E. and Emma Cass Barstow. She leaves her husband of 67 years, William "Tilly" Caruso, of Weymouth, as well as six children, William Caruso and his wife, Sue, of Jenson Beach, Fla., Mary-Jane McCarthy of Winchester, Richard Caruso and wife, Ellen, of Hanover, Ann Caruso Marsh and her husband, Fred, of New York City, Lisa Janzten and her husband, Brian, of New York City, and Grace Herron of Bourne, as well as 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Iva was a talented and accomplished vocalist who sang professionally with a big band on the West Coast during the 1930s. Later, she enhanced the weddings of friends, family and parishioners with her silky, smooth, yet commanding singing voice.

Active for 35 years in St. Bridget's parish in Abington, she was a member of the choir and served in a leadership capacity in the local Catholic organizations. During the 1960s, she served on the state board of the Massachusetts Catholic Women's Guild under Richard Cardinal Cushing and as state regent under Umberto Cardinal Medeiros in the 1970s.

She loved adventure and world travel. Accompanied by her lifelong friend, Louisa Petrell, of Abington and Hansen; she visited more than 35 countries throughout Europe, Asia, the Far East and the Americas.

An ardent golfer, she belonged to the Strawberry Valley Golf Club in Whitman, where she twice received the award for most chip-ins during a single season. In the later years, she played daily at the Bay Pointe Country Club in Wareham.

Iva was a multi-faceted woman. She loved reading, particularly poetry, and was able to recite long passages from poems learned as a child. A master in domestic endeavors, she also enjoyed gourmet cooking, sewing and entertaining her family and friends throughout her full and productive life.

Most recently, she spent her days surfing the net, cheering on Tiger Woods and listening to her iPod.

A celebration of Iva's life will be held at St. Mary's Church in Hanover on Monday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shrine of St. Jude, www.stjude.org.