Carol Lee Thetford Giunta

GIUNTA, Carol Lee Thetford, 71 years old, died peacefully on June 1st, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She was born in Tampa, Florida on February 24, 1944. She graduated from The Academy of the Holy Names in 1961 and attend-ed Dominican College in New Orleans. She married the love of her life, Edward Giunta on December 20, 1964. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her 40-year struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, and ultimately gave her peace. She was powerful with her lessons, brave, funny, and smart. Even though she suffered more than half her life with MS, she always felt quite lucky and carried on without ever feeling sorry for herself. She refused to let MS get the best of her. She carried on continuing to volunteer with Tampa Junior Women's Club performing in numerous theatrical productions, and delivered for Meals on Wheels. Carol Lee never missed her morn-ing cafe con leche or her weekly beauty appoint-ment. Her elegance was effortless even though her disease inflicted many limitations. She had the ability to be happy and feel the joy of life, and at the end of the day she lived a good life always being true to herself. Carol Lee was blessed with a large and loving family. She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Edward; daughters, Suzy (Sharon Marinas), Karen, and Stacy; son, Edward, II; daughter-in-law, Melody Arena Quevedo; grandchildren, Laura, Lillian and Lana Giunta, and Rex and Grace Wilson. She is preceded in death by her mother, Olga Thetford LeLoup and her father, William "Red" Thetford. We constantly told her how much we loved her, and each time she was sure to tell us she loved us more. The family will receive friends from 10:30am to 12:00pm on Thursday, June 4th, 2015 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614, with a Funeral Mass to immediately follow. Interment at Garden of Memories Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Academy of the Holy Names, 3319 Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33629. Arrangements handled by Blount & Curry MacDill Chapel, 813-876-2421.