Carol Ann Broker

Carol Ann (Perry) Broker, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 4, 2025. She was born to the late Gertrude and Anthony Perry in Buffalo, New York. The youngest of two, she was predeceased by her brother, Bernard Perry.

Carol was married to her loving husband and best friend, Robert (Bob), for 51 years. She is survived by their two daughters, Annette Golub (Andy) of North Potomac, MD and Cristina Blackburn (Chris) of Hingham, MA, as well as her four grandchildren — Jack, Ryan, Evan, and Sophia — who brought great joy to her life.

She attended Bishop O’Connell High School in Buffalo, where, through singing in the choir and with the support of her mentor, she overcame her speech impediment, an experience which inspired her to pursue a career in speech pathology. After graduating from the State University of New York in Buffalo, she answered a call to serve, joining the Peace Corps with an assignment in Bahia, Brazil. She worked with local communities and hospitals and deepened her love for the Brazilian people, Portuguese, and Bossa Nova. Those years were a time of deep growth and reflection, shaping her professional and personal journey, and providing her opportunities to travel extensively.

Upon returning home, Carol enrolled at the University of Missouri and earned her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology. She then moved to Washington, D.C. and began her career as a speech language pathologist in Montgomery County schools. It was during her time there, at a workshop on consciousness raising in Latin America, that Carol met Bob. They shared a first date on Valentine’s Day — a fitting beginning. Just eight months later, they were married in a Catholic ceremony in the gardens of the Friends Quaker Meeting House in D.C.

They began their life together in Charlestown, MA where Carol continued her commitment to speech pathology at a clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, and later in the public school system on Massachusetts’ South Shore. They eventually settled in Hingham and spent the next 46 years building a warm and welcoming home and serving their community. A meaningful part of their lives centered around the friendships and faith they nurtured at Glastonbury Abbey, and the volunteer work they were dedicated to at local food banks and shelters. Carol particularly appreciated her time supporting the Cape Verdean community in Brockton where she could actively use her Portuguese skills.

In retirement, Carol and Bob embraced a life of continued learning and exploration. Among their most treasured memories were a family cruise to the glaciers in Alaska, travels throughout Ireland and Italy, and to see their daughter living in the United Kingdom. They also made frequent trips to Maryland to spend cherished time with their grandsons, which brought Carol immense joy. In recent years, the arrival of a granddaughter closer to home added another beautiful chapter to her life — a blessing she held especially close to her heart.

Carol loved to play cards or Scrabble in the evenings. Though the kindest person in the room, she was fiercely competitive and played to win — and did so with fairness and always good humor. Her love of nature was equally strong as an avid supporter and campaigner for numerous environmental causes. The family took frequent adventures out into nature on the local beaches, hikes in nearby World’s End, and throughout New England. She found joy in birds, flowers, trees, little creatures in tidal ponds, and even the moss beneath her feet. A walk in the woods or on the beach was never just a walk. It was a world to explore, to learn about, to appreciate. The woods were her sanctuary, and she delighted in sharing this love and wonder with her daughters and later, her grandchildren.

Compassionate, gentle, patient, generous, and steadfast in her values, Carol’s strength and faith left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her ability to truly connect — by asking thoughtful questions and listening deeply — was one of her many gifts. She cherished her relationships with family and friends, and she is profoundly missed by her loved ones and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Her family is deeply grateful for Carol’s support from several caregivers as well as NVNA and Hospice, and the Pat Roche Hospice Home.

Visiting hours will be held Friday evening, June 27th, from 4pm-7pm at Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald Street in Hingham. A Mass to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, June 28th, at 9:30am at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Glastonbury Abbey in Carol’s memory.