MICHELLE CARPENTER

Michelle B. Carpenter

"Mickey"

Volunteer Firefighter and

Educator

Mrs. Michelle B. "Mickey" Carpenter, age 65, of Middletown, DE, died on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at her home.

Born in White Plains, NY on April 17, 1943, Mrs. Carpenter was a daughter of the late William T. Cantlin, Sr. and Grace Card Cantlin. She enjoyed a long and varied career, beginning at her family's farm in Delaware, where she worked from 1963 to 1969. She later co-managed the DuPont Parkway Apartments before accepting a position as a dispatcher with the Delaware State Police and the New Castle County Police. Most recently, Mrs. Carpenter was employed for 16 years as a communications operator at St. Francis Hospital before her retirement in 2005. Part of a family of firefighters and a dedicated firefighter herself since 1977, Mrs. Carpenter was a Life Member of the Wilmington Manor Volunteer Fire Company, where she had the distinction in the 1980s of being the first woman in Delaware (and one of the very few women ever) to tiller a ladder truck. After a back injury she sustained while fighting a restaurant fire forced her to retire from active fire service, she became a leading voice in educating the public about fire prevention. A popular speaker at schools and community events, Mrs. Carpenter was instrumental in promoting the Fire Safety Awareness program at the Christiana Mall for 11 years. She also traveled the state to institute the Sesame Street Fire Safety Children's Awareness Program. Among her professional affiliations, she was a member of both the New Castle County Firemens Association and the Delaware Volunteer Firemens Association. Her significant and lasting contributions to fire service were profiled in the July 1985 issue of Delaware Today in which she shared her philosophy of being a smart firefighter: "Fighting a fire is exciting and frightening at the same time. If anyone says they aren't a little afraid when they are fighting a fire, they have to be a little crazy." Mrs. Carpenter was a member of St. Margaret of Scotland parish and a former member of Our Lady of Fatima parish. In her leisure hours, she enjoyed knitting, sewing, cooking, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves. A great fan of Walt Disney as well, she looked forward to trips to Disney World. Most of all, she delighted in spending time with her beloved family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her beloved husband, David G. Carpenter, Sr.; 2 children, Michelle C. "Shelley" Bridge and husband, Harry, of Middletown, DE; and David G. Carpenter, Jr. and wife, Shelly, of Delaware City, DE; brother, William T. Cantlin, Jr. and wife, Rose, of Brazil; 2 sisters, Margaret "Peggy" Cantlin-Kern and husband, John, of Arlington, VA; and Maryellen Cantlin of White Plains, NY; and 3 grandchildren, Harry "J.B." Bridge V, Jessica G. Bridge, and Paul Anthony Carpenter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Cantlin and a sister, Patricia Cantlin.

Friends may call 6-8 pm, on Monday, June 30, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am, on Tuesday, July 1, at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, 801 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. Interment will follow in New St. Paul's Cemetery, Delaware City, DE.

Flowers will be appreciated or contributions may be made to Wilmington Manor Fire Company, PO Box 631, New Castle, DE 19720.

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