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Carol M. Frattali Kuzmik

FUNERAL HOME

Murphy Funeral Homes - Falls Church

1102 West Broad Street

Falls Church, Virginia

Carol Kuzmik Obituary

KUZMIK, CAROL M. FRATTALI

On Tuesday, July 13, 2004, of McLean, VA. Beloved wife of Michael D. Kuzmik; mother of Greg, Sara and Ian Kuzmik; daughter of Rita Carpenter and stepdaughter of Robert Carpenter of Lake Ariel, PA; sister of Gina (Harvey) Sherman of Potomac, MD, August (Ann Marie) Frattali of Ashburn, VA, Dr. Mark (Mary) Frattali of Scranton, PA and Mary (Curt) Harris of Barrington, IL. Friends may call at MURPHY'S FALLS CHURCH FUNERAL HOME, 1102 W. Broad St., (Rt. 7), on Friday, July 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 36th St. between N and O Sts., NW, Georgetown. (Parking will be available at Visitation School, 35th and Volta Sts., NW.)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 14, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Carol Kuzmik

44 Entries

John D. Tonkovich

September 20, 2004

I just learned of Carol's passing this past weekend, and I have been grieving ever since. Carol and I had known each other professionally for a number of years, but it was our last interaction that was most significant to me.

Last year at the ASHA convention in Chicago, Carol and I sat down for about two hours and talked nonstop. We talked about our families, our spouses, our children, parochial schools, how we viewed ourselves, how we viewed others, and our feelings about life and death. It was am amazing interchange. We clearly had much more in common that we had ever known, and it was unbelievable and even a bit eerie. I recall that Carol said that she hadn't made a significant enough contribution to her profession, and I couldn't understand that. While walking through the exhibit hall with her a bit later, I found a new handbook of speech-language pathology that cited her works several times, and she smiled when I said, "See. Your contributions HAVE BEEN signficant. You made the latest handbook!"

Carol's work in functional outcomes and in quality improvement issues changed the way that speech-language pathologists provide services. Her involvement in professional circles was positive and significant. Her compassion for others, her humility, and her sense of humor made everyone like her. I am grateful to have known this wonderful and remarkable woman. I feel a great sense of loss.

My sympathy and condolescences go out to her family and friends.

Lisette Cartusciello

August 4, 2004

I was so saddened to hear of Carol's passing. My memories of my east coast cousins are of a very warm and loving family, which included an ever-smiling Carol. To Rita, Mike and their families, my deepest sympathies.

Much love, Lisette

Janet Cartusciello Kelley

August 3, 2004

To Carol's family. I am shocked and deeply saddened by this news I just received. My deepest sympathy goes to the family. Rita, Mary, Gina, Augie and your family, words cannot express my feelings. Good memories is all we have but will last forever. I will try to call the family tonight. Your loving cousin, Janet

Audrey Holland

August 3, 2004

Most marvelous Carol was one of the brightest rising stars of her field. We will all miss her for that, but more so for the roles she played for many of us--as a model of how to mesh personal and professional lives, as a loving mother, as a loyal and unswerving friend. I was fortunate enough to be loved by Carol, and to love her back. I will always feel her presence, hear her laugh, and delight in her luminous smile. I am so grateful for her life.

Kim Smith

July 30, 2004

While I did not know Carol personally, I worked with someone very dear and close to her heart -- her sister Mary. Mary spoke quite fondly of all her family members all the time. I know there was a strong bond there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Kathleen Kelly O'Hara

July 30, 2004

My deepest sympathy goes to Carol's family, friends and colleagues. I did not learn of her death until my return from vacation last week. Carol accomplished so much in her field of work. There is no doubt that she will be missed by everyone she touched.

-From a fellow classmate -Marywood Seminary, Class of 1971.

Lori Sackett

July 29, 2004

To Michael and Carol's children ~

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts of deepest sympathy have been with you since I heard about your loss.

Like everyone else who knew Carol, I was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Carol’s untimely death. Carol tended to life with a radiant heart. Even though many years have gone between us, Carol continues to be an inspiration to me. Through Carol I learned to be the best version of myself that I can be ~ The best mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, colleague ~ I will always treasure Carol’s friendship ~ and as I continue to unfold ~ I will remember her presence.

Love Always,

Lori Beth Sackett

Maura Silverman

July 27, 2004

My mother, who lives in Scranton, called this morning and happened to mention that her elementary school physician, Dr. Frattali, had a daughter who had passed away and that she was involved in Speech Pathology. I was shocked when I realized who she was talking about and then to learn that Carol had attended Ithaca and Marywood, both of which I am an alumni of...known, respected, admired and awed for her work in aphasia, I was so saddened to hear this news. The lessons that she taught by her research, her actions and her involvement can not be overstated and I know that her legacy in our field will live on forever.

I pray for her family, her friends and her colleagues and hope they find comfort in her memories. A sad way to recall the need to tell others how you feel about them and how they have touched your lives.

Sandra Mitchell

July 22, 2004

I am writing because I have just learned that Dr. Carol Frattali passed away recently. I am so saddened by Carol's untimely passing. So many patients spoke so highly of Dr. Frattali, and her work gave people courage, hope, and a feeling of being valued and understood. These are important aspects to the recovery and support of individuals coping with a difficult illness, and I am extremely grateful that Carol gave her talents so generously and so selflesslesly to assist others in need, right up to the time of her death. Dr. Frattali, and all of those for whom she was a valued family member, colleague, friend and care provider will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Most sincerely,

Sandra Mitchell

Roberta Elman

July 21, 2004

Carol was a friend and colleague whose spirit, wisdom, and integrity touched so many. She has left behind a lasting professional legacy, and as these pages reveal, very deep personal connections. May our memory of Carol inspire us to make the world a better place. My heartfelt condolences are extended to her huband and children, her family members, and her many friends.

Anita Halper

July 21, 2004

I was a professional colleague of Carol's. Her contributions to the field of speech-language patholgy have been invaluable. She was a talented teacher, writer and researcher. And what a wonderful special person she was. She will be missed by all of us.

I extend my condolences and deepest spympathy to her family.

Michael Kimbarow

July 21, 2004

It doesn't seem right that the extraordinary beacon of light that was Carol should have left us so soon. I am grateful for her friendship, her wisdom, her smile, and for the sheer joy I experienced everytime we would catch up with each other at a conference. I will always remember those moments.

My thoughts are with Michael and her children. I hope there is some comfort in knowing that Carol left a legacy of an exceptional life that enriched everyone who knew her.

Judy Johnson

July 20, 2004

I did not know Carol personally, but had read many of the things she had written in the field of communication disorders. I appreciated her passion for her work, as it is my passion too, and I learned so much because of her. I met her briefly at an ASHA conference and in that moment I could tell she was a very special person. I wish I had been able to get to know her more. I am so sorry for the loss of such a beautiful soul. My thoughts to her family.

Nadine Connor

July 20, 2004

Carol Frattali was a very special person, as all of these guest book entries demonstrate. I knew Carol professionally over 20 years ago when I was a student and she helped me collect data for my Master's Degree thesis. Carol was the speech pathologist for the PG County New Voice Club at that time and she helped me to take over that role when she moved on to pursue her PhD. Carol was a wonderful mentor, always kind and supportive, and giving. I will never forget her and the help she gave so freely, when none was expected of her. We should all try to live our lives by her example.

Leslie Gonzalez Rothi

July 20, 2004

I shall always thank God for my friend Carol...she added to all of our lives in so many ways. To have left so many footprints is indeed a life well-lived; our only disappointment is a life so short-lived... She will be remembered.

Sudha Patil

July 20, 2004

We all were so fortunate to have known Carol. She was one of the most wonderful of friends to me. She has left a great many wonderful memories to remember her always by. She was such a caring, loving and generous person. She was a dedicated wife, mother, daughter and a sister. She was very proud of Greg, Sara and Ian and their accomplishments. She was passionate with every little thing she did in her personal life as well as her professional life. We shared a special friendship that I will cherish all my life. I remember we would share our happiness as well as our sadness over a nice glass of wine. She was so looking forward to enjoying the first glass of wine we were going to make on our vineyard which she helped us start this year.

I don't know if Carol ever knew how many lives she had touched. The tremendous turn out of friends and family that came to pay their last respect to Carol showed how much she was loved and respected. The eulogy Mary and Gina gave for their sister showed the close bond they shared with each other all of their lives. I know she is no longer with us, but she will be in our thoughts and hearts for ever. My deepest condolences to Mike, Greg, Sara, Ian and the family. I know the tremendous faith Carol had in god, I know he will be looking out for her and the family in their times of need. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you all. Remember we are always there for you. Love Sudha

Gloria Chi-Fishman

July 19, 2004

At the wake, Mass, and graveside, I said good-bye to Carol - my inspiration, my unyielding supporter, my soul-sharing confidant, and my dearest and most special friend. Today I sit here, missing her terribly, unable to shake off this sense of incompleteness . . .

One of Carol's legacies was excellence in everything she did. In her continual quest for excellence, Carol was a tower of strength. In this quest, she approached everything with creativity, goodness, generosity, and passion. I was truly blessed to experience not only the spirited Carol, but also the deeply spiritual Carol - through her expressions of Self and through witnessing how she sought to understand people, events, and this world far beyond instrumental terms.

In the past eight years, Carol and I cheered each other on with numerous inspirational books and music on CDs. The last book Carol gave me in January this year was David Baird's "A Thousand Paths to Wisdom". With her sitting in front of me that wintery day, I tore off the gift wrap, opened the book, and came upon this page:

There are but two things worth living for:

to do what is worthy of being written;

and to write what is worthy of being read;

and greater of these is the doing. - Albert Pike

Carol and I looked at each other, laughed, and embraced. I did not know how I stumbled onto that page then; I do now.

In the visible and invisible chapters of her life, Carol did what is worthy of being written; Carol wrote what is worthy of being read.

My love to Mike, Greg, Sara, Ian, and Rita,

Gloria

--------------------

Frank Swift

July 19, 2004

DR.&MRS FRANK L SWIFT

Brian and Colleen Swift

July 19, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please know that, and try to take comfort in the wonderful family that you are.

Becky Cornett

July 18, 2004

Carol had everything but a long life: high intelligence, beauty, a wonderful husband, great children, a host of friends and colleagues, success in her profession, a great laugh, and that special something we have all talked about in these remembrances, and among ourselves at her visitation and funeral. As I was sitting in my airplane window seat flying home on Saturday evening from the funeral, I saw beautiful, billowy clouds and a deep pink sunset - I thought I might see Carol flying with me, and remembered the beautiful farewell commendation from her Mass of Resurrection:

"May saints and angels lead you on, escorting you where Christ has gone. Now he has called you, come to him Who sits above the seraphim. Come to the peace of Abraham and to the supper of the Lamb; come to the glory of the blessed, and to perpetual light and rest" (In Paradisom, Thomas Tallis).

I am comforted in my deep grief by that short hymn. I am honored and blessed to have been Carol's good friend for 21 years. As I sat in church this morning, I leafed through our Lutheran Book of Worship, and found the Prayer of St. Francis. What an appropriate prayer for this day:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord, union;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and

it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Fly with the angels and saints, Carol - see you in the clouds.

Sharon Moss

July 17, 2004

I am fortunate to have been one of the many individuals whose lives were touched by Carol. She will indeed be missed. However, we are thankful for the positive memories she has left with all of us.

My thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are extended to Carol's family during this time of sorrow. May God continue to wrap his arms of comfort around you.

DEV&USHA CHAUDHRY

July 16, 2004

Long time ago, I read a book entitled "Death! Be Not Proud" by John Gunther in which his son is tragically taken away at the age of seventeen. Carol's untimely death reminds me of that book.

Carol had some soul-touching qualities and even a little Hindu like me born 10,000 miles away from Carol's birthplace was not immune to her Christian qualities of love, humility and charity. My family and I were moved to the depth of our souls by Carol's sincere and warm friendship and we will cherish those memories as long as we live. Only a few years ago she sang a song "Oh' God, Beautiful!" at my daughter's engagement ceremony and only two months ago at my daughter's residence she was celebrating with us the birthdays of my wife and my son-in-law. Nobody could ever have guessed at that time that her end was so near.

So, "Death! Be Not Proud" that you have taken away from our midst the sweetest, the gentlest, the kindliest...person of our community.

Paul Rao

July 16, 2004

I am still reeling from the loss of such a fantastic friend. From Jerry Maguire..."you complete me." Well Carol completed many of us in her many roles.Carol was the quintessential package of friend,spouse, daughter, colleague, mother, researcher, teacher, healer, confidant, cheerleader, coach, mentor & much more...My God, she was able to touch so many lives. One telling story bespeaks her gift. About a decade ago, a colleague in New Jersey was in hospice & dying without family. Carol left work and family and joined Marnie by her side to prepare Marnie for death. Marnie had no one but Carol to turn to and Carol responded with promptness, patience, gentility and spirituality. Carol indeed was able to celebrate life and to welcome death. Carol has left a legacy of love, literature, and more inportantly lessons to us and her wonderful family on living each day as it were her last. I was honored to sponsor Carol for ASHA Fellowship in 1996...it was a slam dunk-she excelled in treating, teaching and trying to improve the lives of the diabled. Beyond the professional & collleague sphere, I saw Carol care so much for so many. As Mike said last night in refering to Carol connecting with so many on so many levels- "she had a special sense." Carol's gifts were shared with us all and we are so much the lesser due to her loss but richer for having been touched by her. Mike and family...I am so so sorry and will remember you all in my prayers. This is all so unreal...May God carry you guys in the palm of His Hand. Peace!

Jeri Miller

July 16, 2004

Carol once sent me this thought from Albert Einstein, "There are two ways to live your life, one is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." In my life- both personal and professional- I thank Carol for the many times she quietly gave kind thoughts and support. I do believe she lived her life full of wonderful miracles. I will miss you.

My deepest condolences to her family.

JMiller

Scott Hunter

July 16, 2004

The world has lost a wonderful scientist, parent, spouse, and friend. I speak for myself, and my mother (her children's piano teacher, Arlene Hunter), in mourning Carol's death and offering sympathy to her family; we have all lost a dear friend and colleague. In Carol's remembrance, we say Kaddish and offer our thoughts and prayers.

David Sokol

July 15, 2004

Carol should be remembered for the accomplishments at work and at home. I was happy to hear of the good Carol did in her profession. But I was a witness to the love she had in providing the structure to prepare her children for the difficult world in which we live. To succeed in balancing your work and family is truly a remarkable feet. She will be missed but what she left her children can never be taken away.

Fatima Husain

July 15, 2004

All the joy and exuberance of Carol is so hard to capture in mere words. I am one of the many whose lives she touched.

I miss her. But in thinking of her, find comfort.

Our sympathies and thoughts go to Carol's family.

Barry Horwitz

July 15, 2004

What a sad, sad day. We will miss Carol so very much. She was so vibrant, and so eager to engage in life. She will be deeply missed by those of us who knew her, and who cared about her, and who considered her to be a wonderful friend and colleague. I was especially taken by her desire to do good science and her enthusiasm for her patients. Carol was always ready to listen, to help, and to be supportive when I needed a friend.

I am sure it is a tragedy for her family that Carol is now gone. My most heartfelt sympathy and condolences go to Mike and to her children. May your unhappiness be mitigated by knowing that so many people felt so warmly about Carol, and that she will be sorely missed by all who knew her and who worked with her. My thoughts, and those of my wife and daughter, are with Carol and her family.

Joe Shrader

July 15, 2004

Carol had much to do with the professionalism that resonates throughout the halls at the NIH Rehabilitation Medicine Department. The same halls are now dim with sadness but we have all been improved in one way or another through knowing Carol. My deepest condolences go to her family.

Neena Chaudhry

July 15, 2004

To laugh often

and love much;

to win the respect

of intelligent persons

and the affection

of children;

to earn the approbation

of honest citizens and

endure the betrayal

of false friends;

to leave the world a bit

better, whether by a healthy

child, a garden patch or a

redeemed social condition;

to have played and laughed

with enthusiasm and

sung with exultation

to know even one life

has breathed easier

because you have lived . . .

this is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Carol exemplifies this favorite poem of ours. We will miss her loving and affectionate spirit, her beautiful smile, and her passion for life. We feel privileged to have known such a wonderful human being and we know that she will live on in the hearts of everyone she touched. To Mike, Greg, Sara, and Ian, you are in our prayers, and we are here to help in any way we can.

--Neena and Bruce

Pandit Patil

July 14, 2004

My heart felt sympathies to Mike, Greg, Sarah, Ian and all family members. I will not ferget Carol for her smile, kindness and friendship. Carol was our closest friend, we shared lots of laughs together. Carol was a wounderful wife and mother. She worked very hard to be successful and she achieved her goals. We spent many evenings together with Carol and Mike. We celebrated our wedding anniversaries together. Carol was such a fun. We will miss her dearly.

Anita McGinty

July 14, 2004

Carol was such an inspiration in all facets of her life. She was a wonderful teacher and mentor to me and inspired me to do my best always, as she pushed herself to do. Her energy, warmth, guidance, brilliance, and kindness left an enourmous impact on me, as I am sure it did on all she knew. My deepest sympathy to her family, on whom her leaving brings the biggest absence. Anita McGinty

Susheel and Jaya Patil

July 14, 2004

We wish to express our deepest sympathies for Mike and the children over the recent loss of Carol. Carol was a wonderful, energetic, thoughtful, and caring person who left an indelible imprint on our lives. Although she is not here, her postive impact will long be felt in the lives of the people she has touched.

Prema Patil

July 14, 2004

My deepest sympathies go out to Mike, Gregory, Sara, Ian, and the entire family.

Carol will always be remembered to me as a loving wife, mother, and friend. I will always admire her for class sophistication, and dedication. She will always remain close to my heart and be remembered dearly and never forgotten.

Michael Harris-Love

July 14, 2004

Carol's warmth and dedication will be sorely missed. She has long served as a model of professionalism for me and many others. Please accept my condolences.

Barbara Sonies

July 14, 2004

Carol will always be dear to me as a friend with a zest for the joys of life, for her love of music, for her laughter and her love of her family. As a professional she was a consumate thinker, a wonderful and talented writer and grew to be a prominent researcher blazing trails in language and cognition. She had a passion for her patients for the field of speech language pathology and for ensuring that our profession would endure with a sound knowledge base. She relentlessly persued her ideas, sharing them both with professional colleagues and students here in the USA and abroad. She will be sorely missed but her legacy will live on in those of us who knew and loved her.

To her dear family, I extend my most heartfelt sympathy and thoughts of her wonderful self and spirit.

Susan Robertson

July 14, 2004

Such an aching sadness. Mine is only a speck compared to what you, her family, must be feeling. My deepest sympathy to you all.

It is only a few hours now, and the loss of Carol grows more profound as I think about her many gifts, so generously given. What inspired her contributions to everyone around her was her deep faith, belief in the power of good works, commitment to excellence, and unselfish quest to improve the human condition. Knowing her meant a change for the better, an appreciation for living with integrity, and joy in the purpose of human relationships.

I miss you Carol. Thank you for influencing my life.

Susan

Scott Paul

July 14, 2004

My deepest sympathies go out to Carol's husband, children, and entire family. Like everyone else in our department, I will do my best to keep part of Carol alive in my memories of this kind, compassionate, and brilliant human being.

Bonnie Thornton

July 14, 2004

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

(To all who knew Carol, we know this to be true for her)

Lou Russell

July 14, 2004

Carol was a good friend and a beautiful person who touched so many people in so many ways. I will miss her. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

Lou Russell

Rebecca Parks

July 14, 2004

I was privileged to work with Carol here at NIH for many years. She was always the best in whatever she undertook: beautiful, energetic, creative, and highly accomplished, she was extremely well respected and often sought as a research collaborator.

We who have worked with Carol were very fortunate to have such a gifted and wonderful colleague. It is hard to know how we will adjust and fill the enormous space left by Carol's absence.

My most sincere sympathy and condolences go to Carol's husband and her children, who clearly were the most precious thing she held in her life.

Steven Stanhope

July 14, 2004

Carol was inspiration. The embodiment of energy, enthusiasm, optimism, desire, dedication, compassion, and caring. My depest sympathy.

Gloria Chi-Fishman

July 14, 2004

Carol was a loving wife and mother, a model of superior professionalism to her colleagues, and a very, very dear friend to me. She was one of the most intelligent, sophisticated, and talented persons I have ever known. Above all, she was a wonderful and beautiful person. Devotion to her family, relentless pursuit of scientific excellence, and deep compassion to others characterized how she lived her life. As a speech-language pathologist, she helped and touched the lives of countless patients. Her outstanding record of professional services cannot be matched by most colleagues. Her books and journal articles on patient care will continue to guide her fellow clinicians.

The loss of Carol deeply saddens me. I am left, however, with such great pride to have been a close friend to Carol and with such fond memories of all of our deep, heart-to-heart sharing.

My deepest sympathy to Michael, Greg, Sara, Ian, and the rest of Carol's loved ones.

Carol, my dearest friend, I will always hold you close to my heart.