Mary L. Carroll

1918 - 2020

Mary L. Carroll

Carmel - Mary L. (Knox) Carroll, aged 101, passed away on November 10, 2020 in her home. In her last years and days, she was surrounded by family and friends who were fortunate to share in her long, rich life.

Mary was born in Greenwich Village on December 17, 1918, the daughter of Barbara (Brennan) and Richard Knox. She grew up with her five siblings in the Village, Chelsea, and Harlem and attended St. Joseph Grammar School; she won a scholarship to attend high school in Fort Lee, NJ at the Academy of the Holy Angels, taking the ferry across the Hudson there and back every day. Mary's intellectual life was shaped early by the Sisters of Notre Dame, a debt she honored throughout her career as a teacher. After graduation, Mary continued her studies at City College of New York and Hunter College.

In 1938, Mary met Bob Carroll; they married on April 6, 1940. In their 60 years together, Mary and Bob raised five children in Our Lady of Angels parish (Bronx, NY). In later years, they moved to Dumont, NJ, where they became active members of both their parish, St. Mary's, and of the Jewish Community Center in Teaneck.

Mary taught in several Catholic elementary schools, as both a substitute teacher, and then for almost twenty years as an esteemed and beloved second- and then a fourth-grade teacher at St. Nicholas of Tolentine in the Bronx. Many, many of her students kept in touch with Mary long after she retired. In New Jersey, Mary spent more time as a substitute teacher at St. Mary's and continued her longtime volunteer work on the Board of Elections and in the local library.

Mary and Bob enjoyed many years of travel together to all fifty States and several countries in Europe and Asia. Their long, loving marriage, and their dedication to family and community inspired their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary's faith, good humor, and love sustained the family through the loss of both Bob and her son Robert, as well as so many beloved extended family members, especially Rev. Charles T. Taylor, S.J. After moving to Carmel, Mary particularly enjoyed the deep pleasures of time spent with her sister Barbara and her brothers, Andy and Jimmy. She welcomed everyone into her small apartment with a smile, grace, generosity, and often an Irish coffee.

Mary is survived by her son Richard Carroll and his wife Kathleen Queenan Carroll, her daughter Marie Robinson, daughter Barbara Hickey, and daughter Lorrayne Carroll and her partner Joseph Medley; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Carroll; her grandchildren Christine (David) Urgo, Jeannine (Tom) Hughes; Beth (Elias) El-Hage; Brian Carroll; Rich (Rick) Carroll; Lauren (Steve) Carroll; Michael (Cheryl) Carroll; Matthew (Alana) Carroll; Terrance (Sarah) Carroll; Fred Robinson; Jeanne Marie (Jeff) Robinson; Patrice (Wally) Hatch; Laura (Dan) Conniff; Timothy (Robin) Hickey; Danny (Jessibel) Hickey; Meghan (Agustin) Quinn; and Conor Quinn. Mary's twenty-seven great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews share this astounding legacy.

Mary's family is deeply grateful to Mary's niece and god-daughter, Barbara Ellen Blancuzzi for the love, delight, and attention she has always given to "her Maisy," and to Liz Martin for the fifteen years of care, companionship, patience, and graciousness that she provided to Mary and her family. In her final days, Mary received good care from several home aides and from Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam, Inc.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Balsamo-Cordovano Funeral Home, 15 Church St., Carmel, NY 845- BAL-2144.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam, Inc., 540 White Plains Rd., Suite 300, Tarrytown, NY 10591.