Katherine Carroll MAROONE

MAROONE, Katherine Carroll Katherine Carroll Maroone moved on to the next life peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of October 29th, 2017. She spent over ninety-one wonderful years on Earth, leading a full life of dedication and devotion to her family, friends, and chosen causes. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend; and her love and wisdom will be missed by all. She was raised a farmer's daughter near Rochester, New York; one of four children born to William John and Lillian Smyth Carroll. She loved the country life, milking cows, joining the 4-H Club, and once showing her prized Hereford calf at the local fair. Raised in a hard-working Irish Catholic family, she never shied away from a task, whether it be on the farm or providing for the war effort working in an aircraft plant. She would later go on to receive a degree from Buffalo State Teachers College, where she met the love of her life, a son of Lebanese immigrants named Al Maroone. Kit, as she was better known, was a devoted wife and mother, raising her family in her beloved Buffalo. She not only brought up three wonderful children, but played an integral role supporting and developing Al Maroone Ford. For many years she performed double duty working in the home and doing whatever it took to make the family business successful delivering parts, engaging customers, and fulfilling vehicle sales. Due in no small part to her efforts, a small Ford dealership in Middleport grew to be a wonderfully successful family business in Buffalo and Florida. She led an active life, pursuing her many interests with vigor. Those included her friends, the sport of golf, and politics, where she supported an ex-quarterback, Jack Kemp, in his pursuit of a seat in Congress. As one of the original 'Kemp Girls', she worked hard and successfully to get him elected; and went on to support Jack and the Kemp family for decades to come. She also felt very strongly about supporting those less fortunate and helping the community. Of her many philanthropic pursuits, none were more prolific than her love for the Cleveland Clinic, an amazing organization she encouraged the family to begin supporting over twenty-five years ago, leading to the dedication of the Maroone Cancer Center in 2015. In her later years, she relished spending time with her seven grandchildren. She became a second mother to each of them, spreading her love and wisdom, and helping develop each into wonderful adults and successes in their respective pursuits. And, in the last few years, she was blessed to spend time with beautiful twin great-granddaughters, the first members of the next Maroone generation. Katherine is survived by her thoroughly devoted husband, Albert E. Maroone, her three children - Kathleen Maroone, Patricia Damoorgian (and husband, Dorian), and Michael Maroone (and wife, Monica) - seven grandchildren - John Hoctor, Katherine Hoctor, Jennifer Ellis (and husband, Nick), Alex Damoorgian, Diana Damoorgian, Matthew Maroone (and wife, Christina), Meredith Knowles (and husband, William) - and two great-granddaughters, Nora and Laila. A Mass celebrating Kit's life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, November 3rd at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3510 S Ocean Boulevard, Highland Beach, Florida 33487, Phone 561.278.1280 Donations graciously accepted in Kit's name for the Maroone Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Donations can be made online at http://giving.ccf.org/florida, or mailed to Cleveland Clinic Florida, Att. Philanthropy Department, 2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard, Weston, FL 33324.