Mary Carol MacKenzie Obituary

Mary Carol MacKenzie 1931 - 2020
Chaplin - Mary Carol (Hoffmeyer) MacKenzie, of Chaplin, died at home of natural causes on June 22, 2020.
Mary Carol (MC) was born on December 25, 1931 in Vineland, New Jersey, daughter of George Hoffmeyer and Grace (Elwell) Hoffmeyer.
MC received a bachelor of science degree from Rutgers University (Douglass College) in 1953. An accomplished seamstress, MC sewed her own wedding dress, and over the years made many stylish clothes for herself and her family. Her cooking skills were unsurpassed. From political events to dinners for her family, she was a consummate hostess. A friend once remarked that "every meal was a banquet."
After college, Mary Carol worked for the Extension Service as a staff member of 4-H in Gloucester County, NJ. MC and Hugh were married on May 17, 1958, at Kirkpatrick Chapel, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
Mary Carol was involved in community and political life in Waterford, organized fashion shows to benefit L&M Hospital, and assisted in numerous political campaigns, including her husband's successful campaigns for first selectman of Waterford and state representative in the 1960s. They moved to Pomfret Center in 1969, then Brooklyn CT in the early 1970s where they stayed until the year 2001, when they moved to Chaplin.
In the 1980s, Mary Carol worked in community relations for the anti-poverty agencies WACAP (Windham Area Community Access Program now known as Access Agency) and TVCCA. MC also wrote a column "The View from Here" which ran in the Journal Transcript (Norwich Bulletin).
She was active with the Brooklyn Republican Town Committee and served on the State Central Committee for the 35th district from 1983 until 1991.
MC and her husband Hugh were former corporators for Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam and were involved with Opera New England.
Mary Carol worked as the coordinator of college development and public relations for Quinebaug Valley Community College under Dr. Robert Miller's presidency. MC also worked in public relations for the PCSW (Permanent Commission on the Status of Women) and Northeast Utilities.
Mary Carol helped many candidates run for state, local and national offices and was instrumental in securing Eastern Connecticut's support for Lowell P. Weicker's gubernatorial campaign as his field coordinator in 1990. MC was then named director of the governor's Eastern office from 1991-1994.
Mary Carol is survived by her son, Hugh MacKenzie of Chaplin, and two daughters, Kate MacKenzie of Quaker Hill and Cameron MacKenzie, Esq. of Waterford. She is also survived by four grandchildren; Jessie and Warren MacKenzie of Quaker Hill, and Evelyn and Hugh MacKenzie, and their mother, Carol MacKenzie, of Columbia CT.
MC is also survived by a sister, Kathleen Petrie, of California.
Mary Carol was predeceased by a daughter, Molly MacKenzie Blauvelt in 1995, and a sister, Grace Sedgwick, in 2016. MC's husband Hugh died in December of 2013.
Arrangements will be private. The family thanks the Hospice and Palliative Home Care Services of Day Kimball Hospital. Mary Carol made an anatomical donation to the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University.

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Published by Norwich Bulletin from Jul. 6 to Jul. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Carol MacKenzie

8 Entries

Deborah Merrill

October 31, 2020

Dear Kate and family,
I had not heard of your mom's passing until just now. My sincerest condolences.

What a terrific woman she was. One of a kind.

Deb Merrill

Kay Davis

July 9, 2020

I have such fond memories of your mother and father, their children Hugh, Kate, Cameron and Molly and their grandchildren Jessie nd Warren.
Mary Carol always had a smiling face and was willing to provide assistance whenever it was needed.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers - Kay Davis (Hildebrandt)

Nancy and Jim Weiss

July 7, 2020

Our sympathy to the family at the passing of Mary Carol. She was chic, witty, hardworking and a fine hostess with excellent manners. She loved Hugh and her children. We enjoyed the times we spent with her.

Claire (Morissette) LaBelle

July 6, 2020

Dear Hughie (she always called you that), Kate and Cameron,
It was with much sadness that I just read of your mother's passing. It wasn't all that long ago that we shared our latest news. You have no idea what an incredible influence your mom had on me. She taught me so much and we had such fun working together. Skills I used until my retirement of 45 years at Access. I was truly blessed to remain friends with her all these many years. My fondest memories include the many visits your dad paid to us at work, visiting with them at home and MC's many, many talents and their hospitality. I will certainly miss my friend, MC, and her lovely notes and great humor. May your love for each other and your many sweet memories carry you through this difficult time. Your mother was truly one of a kind and I will never forget her. My love to you and your family.

Barbie (Leonardi) Birmingham

July 6, 2020

So sorry to see this. It was almost shocking to see her without one of her beautiful big hats! Prayers and thoughts to all the family.

Timothy Kuryla

July 6, 2020

Cameron, my condolence to you on the death of your mother. Your MacKenzie "cousin" Tim

Deborah Monahan

Planted Trees

Susan Lennon

July 5, 2020

Dear Hugh, Kate, and Cameron

I dont know if you remember me your mother and I worked together at WACAP in the mid-1970s, many years ago.

I am deeply sorry to read that your mother has died. Her obituary beautifully captured her story. And the photograph: the bright eyes that gave a hint of the chuckles and laughs to come, and her smile her lips always dressed in red lipstick. I hope she still sported her signature red nail polish!

She and your dad were very special people. It was always fun to watch them interact with one another, and their playfulness, especially when you all lived in the big house at the intersection of Pomfret Road and Bush Hill in Brooklyn. The many trees you decorated at Christmas and placed in various rooms around the house and the stories of hearing the swish of ball gowns from bygone days on the evenings that your parents hosted parties!

Your mom brought to WACAP an understanding and appreciation of northeastern Connecticut that was critical to this community action agency being successful in its work. Your mother and I had different political persuasions. It was she who taught me the importance of working across the aisle and always doing the right thing.

You mom influenced me in many other ways with her simple, but elegant style and sophistication. Her skill as an accomplished seamstress demanded Vogue patterns exclusively and a love of fine fabrics with a good hand. To this day, she is the only person I know who subscribed to and devoured Womens Wear Daily. With her unsurpassed cooking skills, she introduced me to Gourmet magazine and instilled in me a love of cooking, hospitality, and entertaining. She communicated with handwritten notes, taking fountain pen to beautiful stationery. I always loved seeing her distinctive penmanship.

My life is richer because of your mother and I am grateful she was part of it so many years ago. I hope your memories of your mother bring you comfort and peace. Be well.

Sincerely,
Susan Lennon
[email protected]
Hartford, CT

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