Carol Roche Virostek

1942 - 2014

Carol Roche Virostek, Ph.D., of Berlin, CT, and Webster, MA, died on September 16. The daughter of the late Anna T. (Vecchione) Roche and Joseph T. Roche, Carol was born in Whitinsville, MA, on April 23, 1942. From an early age, she was called to be a teacher. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a teaching degree and then earned a master's degree from Central Connecticut State University. She taught English at Berlin High School for more than 20 years, during which time she was named Connecticut State Teacher of the Year in 1989. She was honored with a national Milken Educator Award in 1991 and then began a doctoral program at the University of Connecticut, where she served as an adjunct professor and completed her Ph.D. in 1996. In her long career as an educator, she also served as the writing coordinator for Berlin Public Schools, as a consultant for many school districts, and as a presenter at numerous conferences. Mentoring prospective teachers and providing professional development for other educators proved to be among the most fulfilling work she had ever done. An award-winning volunteer, Carol was passionate about a number of issues pertaining to social justice and the empowerment of women. Her involvement included serving on the Board of Directors of YWCA New Britain and on the Board of Trustees of the Friendship Center of New Britain, and serving as president of the American Association of University Women's New Britain Branch and state organization. For several years she chaired the national AAUW College/University Relations Committee, and in 2013 the national AAUW created an endowed fund to honor Carol's work and commitment, which will make grants in perpetuity to support leadership initiatives for young women. Carol was also passionate about her family, with whom she enjoyed many happy times summering at Webster Lake for 35 years, as well as skiing in Vermont and vacationing in Siesta Key. She is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Paul; her daughter Allison Hopkins and son-in-law Charles Hopkins of Worcester, MA; her daughter Leslie Virostek and son-in-law John Cobb of Wallingford, CT; grandchildren Zachary and Isaac Pfosi, and Aidan, Elise, and Aileen Cobb; and step-grandchildren Heidi Enea, and Amie, Christopher, and Hope Hopkins. In addition, she leaves her dear sister Kathleen McCarthy of Whitinsville, MA, and brother Joseph T. Roche Jr. of Holly Hill, FL, and many beloved nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends. She died at home with her family around her. Her family gratefully acknowledges the superlative medical care Carol received at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which for 12 years provided her with not only compassionate care but also the latest cancer treatments. Impeccably dressed, professionally accomplished, compassionate, generous, and loving, Carol inspired others to live life as fully and passionately as she did. Carol devoted much of her life to education and to making the world a more just and equitable place for women and girls. Carol's funeral will be held on Fri. Sept. 26 from Jackman Funeral Home, 12 Spring St., Whitinsville with a Mass at 11 am in St. Patrick's Church, 7 East St. Calling hours at the funeral home will be held on Thurs. Sept. 25 from 4-8 p.m. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the AAUW, 1111 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 (Carol R. Virostek Campus Leadership Opportunities Fund #4378), or to the YWCA New Britain (Family Literacy Programs), 19 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051. To leave a condolence message for the family, please visit www.jackmanfuneralhomes.com