Carolyn J. Giacalone

Carolyn, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 76. Carolyn was born in Ontario, Canada, to the late Allan and Bertha Wright. She grew up in Fonthill, Ontario, Canada, with her brother Jim (James)Wright, who also preceded her in death; she often recounted fond memories of their childhood together. At the age of 21, she graduated from the School of Nursing in Kitchener, Ontario. Carolyn emigrated to California and began her nursing career at Stanford University as an operating room nurse for six years. She later worked as an inflight nurse and stewardess for United Airlines briefly. In 1984, Carolyn made a bold career change receiving her insurance license and eventually starting her own independent insurance brokerage company. She was recognized by her peers in the industry as the top agent in CA, winning awards for her excellent performance year after year.In February 1985, Carolyn met the love of her life, Lawrence Giacalone, after going on a blind date, and they married a year later, on August 17, 1986. They were married for 37 years.A connoisseur of fine beverages, Carolyn enjoyed sipping on white wine and Cosmos, delighting in the flavors and the moments of relaxation they provided. Whether it was a quiet evening at home or a gathering with loved ones, she could always be found with a glass in hand, toasting life's blessings.Carolyn and Lawrence enjoyed ocean cruises, site seeing, dancing, and dining out until her back pain was too excruciating. For the last 30 years, Carolyn battled constant back pain, seeking to eliminate it with traditional as well as cutting-edge treatments to no avail.Carolyn found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as needlepoint, where her patience and skilled hands created exquisite heirloom-quality tapestries, Christmas tree decorations, and pillows that will forever be cherished by those lucky enough to receive them. Carolyn was known for her warm heart, infectious laughter, and unwavering love for her family, which was the cornerstone of Carolyn's world. She had a remarkable ability to connect with her loved ones and prioritized staying in touch. Her phone conversations were filled with love, laughter, and genuine interest in the lives of those she held dear. Her family knew they could always count on her unwavering support and kind words of encouragement. She adored her six grandchildren and loved spending time with them as often as possible. They were her pride and joy; just talking about them brought a smile to her face and suspended her pain, however briefly.Carolyn is survived by her husband, Lawrence Giacalone; son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Sheila Vincent; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Lauren Vincent; grandchildren: Sean Vincent age 25, Matthew Vincent age 24, Allison Vincent age 18, Adam Vincent age 16, Paul Vincent age 4 and Peter Vincent almost age 2; sister-in-law Jill Brown (James' wife), and brothers-in-law, Anthony Giacalone, Paul Giacalone and his wife, Eileen, and sister-in-law, Janet Yaninek and her husband, Steve Yaninek.Carolyn will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the many lives she touched throughout her lifetime. She will forever be remembered for her kindness, her love, and the joy she brought to those fortunate enough to know her. A private Celebration of Carolyn's Life and her indelible impact on those around her will be held in late September. Friends and family will receive an invitation with details of the arrangements.In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charitable organization of your choice in Carolyn's honor.