Carole L. Podesta

Carole (Lacedonia) Maurer Podesta, of East Longmeadow, MA, died at home on October 29 after a lengthy and challenging struggle with Metastatic Breast Cancer. This type of breast cancer spreads throughout your bones and organs and is incurable. It is the second leading cause of death in women in the US.
Carole was predeceased by her parents, M. Daniel Lacedonia and Eleanor "Ellie" (Clark) Lacedonia of East Longmeadow, and she graduated from East Longmeadow High School. Carole married Gary Maurer in 1978, and together they raised their two beautiful daughters, Becky and Kelly Maurer, until divorcing in 2001.
Carole discovered a new passion in Nursing, earning her degree in 1998 and ultimately hired by Baystate Hospital. Carole worked for twelve years at Baystate: initially in the CCU Step-down Unit, and after several years, moved on to the ER. She relocated to Burlington Vermont Medical Center, where she worked until her illness forced her to retire. Carole returned to Massachusetts to undergo cancer treatment as well as for the added support of her family and friends.
Throughout her lifetime she lived in numerous New England towns before returning to live in her hometown of East Longmeadow. Her wonderful sense of design allowed her to utilize her skills so that each home she created became a beautiful, warm, and eclectic living space. Carole loved to be active: traveling with family and friends, running, ballet, yoga, and even belly dancing. She had a love of music and could often be seen dancing in the aisles at various venues. Her greatest joy, however, was being Nonni to her three grandchildren. Nothing made her smile more than being with Mason 15, Caden 5, and Cody 3.
Carole is survived by her two loving daughters Becky Maurer, of Agawam, and her long term boyfriend Michael Thomann and his son Christian, and Kelly (Maurer) OBrien and her husband Aaron, of East Longmeadow; her three beautiful grandchildren, Mason Maurer, and Caden and Cody OBrien; her devoted sisters, Cindy (Lacedonia) Edwards and her husband Steve of Orleans, Nancy (Lacedonia) Adams and her husband Bob of East Longmeadow; and her brother Mark Lacedonia and his wife Jane of Granby, Connecticut.
Carole is also survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends including Kevin and Desiree Edwards and their two children Harley and Paxton; Sarah and Mike Kerr and their son Jaxon; Ryan and Christy (Lin) Edwards and their three children Kira, Owen, and Theo; Scott and Mariana Edwards and their daughters Lily and Anna; TJ Adams and his partner Mel and their children Tatum and Tanner; Stephen Adams; Katie Adams; Jill Lacedonia; Caryn Lacedonia and her son Jadrien; Robin and Nate Maycock and their son Daniel; as well as Caroles cousins Dianne, Dennis, and Kim OConnor.
Carole wanted to acknowledge some special people in her life: her sisters of the heartWendi Obuchowski and Liz (Viveiros) Spoonerwith whom she shared lifelong friendships; her niece Sarah Kerr (often referred to as her "adopted daughter") with whom she shared a very close bond; her "bonus daughter" Stephanie (Podesta) Kendall; her "blog friend and cancer buddy" Chris OSullivan of NYC, with whom Carole shared a close intimate relationship over these past yearsalong with some good laughs. Carole would also like to acknowledge her special friendship and roommate Erik Keenan, who was a major and constant support person. Lastly, and most importantly, Carole wanted to thank her sisters, Cindy Edwards and Nancy Adams, for carrying her on their backs, over and over again. She would not have survived this ordeal without their continuous love and support (and an occasional chocolate martini).
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Beacon Hospice, especially Caroles nurse Stella, for their compassionate care of Carole.
Calling hours will be held at Byron and Keenan Funeral Home, 1858 Allen Street in Springfield on Thursday, November 7 at 10:00 with a Celebration of Life at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, Carole requested that any memorial donations be directed to metavivor.org, the only organization that solely funds metastatic breast cancer research or to Beacon Hospice, 815 Worcester Street, Springfield, MA 01151.
Services
Calling Hour
Thursday
November 7, 2024
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center
1858 Allen Street
Springfield, MA 01118
Celebration of Life
Thursday
November 7, 2024
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center
1858 Allen Street
Springfield, MA 01118
Private Burial
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