Carol Ann Medina Cracco

Carolyn Ann Medina Cracco, born on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1941 to Santiago Medina and Claire Tucker-Medina, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Ochsner Hospital following surgery for carcinoid cancer. Carol graduated from Charity Hospital School of Nursing in 1961 and practiced until the birth of her children. She married once, to Alain Cracco of New Orleans, and their first child was born in 1968, at which time she proudly became a full time mother. Carol was a beautiful, warm, gracious fun loving woman. She was a modest, humble leader, remembered professionally as one who possessed the essential skills and qualities of a role model. Early in her nursing career, Carol was a key figure in the restructuring of salaries and working conditions for the Association of Charity Hospital Registered Professional and Licensed Practical Nurses during the pivotal workplace equality movement of 1967. These negotiations initiated forward changes in the working conditions and health care at Charity hospitals nationwide. When Carol's child rearing priorities were complete, she was recruited to join a New Orleans based humanitarian group of traveling physicians who journeyed extensively throughout regions of Mexico and Central America preforming orthopedic and cleft pallet reconstruction surgeries on indigenous peoples. She gave five years of service toward this goal. Following the birth of her daughter, Carol, along with partner Ms. Dorothy Gill of New Orleans, founded the New Orleans Chapter of Little People of America, Inc. in 1972. Both women were mothers of children who shared the medical condition of Dwarfism. In journal articles and flyers distributed at the outset of the local chapter, Carol's words are a clear directive to spread understanding into the schools, raise awareness of medical issues and generate support for the newly established chapter. Carol was often seen as a surrogate mother to many of her children's friends. She gave them the space to be themselves, to make mistakes and to grow up into creative, caring and responsible adults. Her beautiful home and garden, her fantastic cooking, passion for entertaining and the joy of a good glass of red wine were evidence of her love for life. She had great elegance in her sense of style and fashion. Her love of animals throughout her life afforded her the privilege of having numerous pets, all of which were held dear. Carol is survived by her sisters Arleen Medina Goldblume and Carmen Medina Fouchi of New Orleans; her son Derek Alain Cracco of Birmingham (Sara Browder Cracco), daughter Nicole MarieJosee' Cracco of Orange County, CA, one grandson, Findley Alain Cracco and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial in Celebration of Carol's Life will be scheduled for the Fall. Arrangements by Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd. Information 504-835-2341. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimerfh.com. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Carol's name to one of these charities. www.carcinoid.org or www.spaymart.org