Carol Laxalt

Carol Laxalt, the wife of deceased former Nevada Governor and United States Senator Paul Laxalt, died peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Virginia Hospital Center. Mrs. Laxalt was born Anita Carol Bernardini on December 31, 1942, in Carson City, Nevada. Her mother Anita was a widow with two children from her first marriage, and her father Angelo Bernardini owned a local barbershop. Carol grew up in Carson City alongside her older siblings and a younger brother. While they were all close as children, Carol remained closest to her older sister Gloria throughout her life. She attended public school in Carson City and graduated from Carson City High School, but not before giving birth to the pride and joy of her life, her daughter Denise. Carol's unshakeable faith in God and the support of her family and community helped her get through tough early times.
Paul and Carol Laxalt married on January 2, 1976. He was the love of Carol's life, and she supported his career as U. S. Senator and later as a Washington, DC lobbyist. As a Senate spouse, Carol experienced not only vast opportunities to meet some of the most powerful people in our country, but she had the privilege to travel to all corners of the Earth as well. Although she felt a bit in awe of how far she had come in her life, she never forgot that she was, at heart, a small-town girl who was eager to take part in this "front row seat" of seeing history in the making, particularly during Ronald Reagan's Presidential campaigns and his Presidency in the White House.
Carol was well known among the circles of Washington, DC for her annual Christmas
party, which she hosted with Senator Laxalt at their home in McLean, Virginia, to benefit the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. The guest list included not just friends, family and colleagues, but also Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives. As staunch a Republican as her husband, Carol never let politics get in the way of the numerous friendships which she shared on both sides of the aisle. She is remembered by her friends as an endearing, caring, and empathetic confidant.
Mrs. Laxalt remained very active on many committees in the Nation's Capital, and after Senator Laxalt retired from the Senate she continued as Chairman of Associate U. S. Senate Spouses. In addition to being a Board Member of the Blair House Restoration Fund where she chaired the annual fundraising drive for over three decades, she also served as a Board Trustee of The National Theatre for many years. As the Fundraising Chair for the National Fund for the U. S. Botanic Gardens, Carol was instrumental in the fundraising for the construction of the First Ladies Water Garden. Dedicated to providing steadfast service to the Washington, DC community, Carol had a long legacy of energetic, principled, diligent, and competent skills that
she afforded these organizations.
Carol had many passions and hobbies. Entertaining in their home brought her the most joy, which included campaign fundraisers, her daughter Denise's wedding rehearsal dinner, Thanksgiving and Christmas family dinners, Nevada constituent gatherings, as well as luncheons for committees she was serving on, in addition to casual dinners for friends and their Senate office staff. She was passionate about gardening in her yard, cooking, interior design, attending opening night performances at The National Theatre, as well as being supportive of her parish, St. Luke Catholic Church, with generous donations to their outreach program.
Carol showed tremendous strength and resilience during those later days when she
suffered physical pain. She was a very strong, determined woman refusing to allow illness to keep her at bay. She often stated "it's just a bump in the road which I can get over." Her strength in adversity was most admirable.
We remember her for her elegance and attention to detail in how she dressed,
entertained, home decoration, and exquisitely wrapped gifts. The wedding she created for Brad and Denise was likened to a fairy tale Carol is survived by her daughter Denise Laxalt (Dr. Brad Lingenfelter), her sister Gloria Smith, brother Donald Quilici, several stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins,
and countless friends.
The family wishes to express their gratitude for her doctors and caretakers who
provided the excellent care which extended the years of her life. Thank you, Dr. Warren Levy, Dr. Deborah Litman, Dr. Angus Worthing, Dr. Paymaun Lofti, and Dr. Felix Ma.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Blair House Foundation through
their website at www.blairhouse.org and to The National Theatre Foundation through their website at https://www.nationaltheatre.org/laxalt/
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on September 26 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA.
Our loved ones never truly leave us…
They live on in the kindness they showed,
The comfort and laughs they shared,
And the love they brought into our lives.