Carol Ann Ring

"Though she be but little, she is fierce." William Shakespeare from A Midsummer Night's Dream

Carol Ann Ring, formerly Brown, ended her valiant fight at her Florida home in the early morning hours of September 15th surrounded by the love of her daughters.

Daughter of Everett and Gladys (Sweet) Brown, Carol was born on March 10th, 1941, in Somerville, Massachusetts. Diligent and determined from the moment she entered the world, Carol showed up on time and ready to work at both school and her after-school job at the Schrafft Candy Company, until her graduation from Somerville High School in 1959. During that time, she discovered her love of chocolate, a romance that would provide indulgent comfort to her throughout her life.

As a young lady, Carol was swept off her feet and to the dance floor by Richard Ring, an attractive Army soldier who exuded an impossible-to-ignore confidence, charm, and wit, and with whom she became quickly smitten. "Dick and Carol" remained married for over 40 years, built a family, watched hours of television together, and took care of each other until Richard's passing in 2013.

Thanks to her hard-working nature and mathematical meticulousness, Carol built a successful bookkeeping career for herself. She first held the role at the Cambridge Boys & Girls Club, a non-profit organization started by her husband that provided hundreds, if not thousands, of local youth with a safe and supportive place to grow and thrive. She would then move on to A.W. Chesterton Company, where she was known as one of the most hard-working and pleasant people to work with until her retirement in 2005.

Her most cherished role, however, was that of mother to her two daughters, Kelli-Ann and Kimberley, who she raised to know the importance of self-respect, toughness, and self-pampering with new lipstick during times of sadness. She was the honored mother-in-law of Joseph Coviello of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and Jason Allen of Wakefield, Massachusetts, both who would escort her anywhere and protect her at all costs. She was also the proud "Nanny" of grandson Jack Coviello, who she loved watching flourish creatively, shoot hoops for hours, and shine in his studies.

Nobody made her happier, or laugh harder, than her family....and making her laugh became the mission of those who loved her most in her final days.

Sister of the late Norman E. Brown and Joan Jenkins, Carol is survived by her brother, Harvey C. Brown and his committed partner James Heckert, whose visits over the years left her showered with love, kindness, and TooJay's sandwiches. She is also survived by her brother-and-sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews.

Carol carried true blue friendships that she cherished throughout her life, ones that gave her support and smiles at the best and worst times. She is pre-deceased by several dear friends and leaves behind special relationships with her best bud Fitzy, pal Linda Cotter, and her Port St. Lucie neighbor Pam Lyons and her family, who cared for her as one of their own through the end.

A quiet mastermind with an excruciatingly loud television, Carol loved spending time staying sharp, thanks to the help of the Game Show Network, Solitaire, and the TV Guide crossword puzzle.

There was no one like Carol, and she will be missed by many.

Carol will be laid to rest next to her husband at Puritan Lawn Cemetery in Peabody, Massachusetts, and remembered with a private celebration of life on their wedding anniversary on October 8th.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Carol's memory by living life to the fullest, keeping your mind sharp, and enjoying every bite of cake you can.