Carol Ann Carbutti

Carol Ann Carbutti, age 79, of Wallingford passed away surrounded by family, on June 18, 2025. For 60 years, she was the loving wife of Andrew Carbutti Jr. Born in Norwalk, Carol Ann was daughter of the late Joseph and Grace (Incerto) DiCerbo. In addition to her husband, Carol Ann is survived by her four adoring sons, Andrew (Jennifer) Carbutti III, Peter (Amy) Carbutti, Jonathan (Caryn Holupka) Carbutti and Mark (Sydney Fair) Carbutti all of Wallingford, her cherished grandchildren, Anna, Andrew IV, Christopher, Isabella, Julian and Alyssa Carbutti all of Wallingford, her sisters Mary Jo (Joseph) Duddie of Colchester and Charlene (Michael) Duncan of Norwalk, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her brother Nicholas DiCerbo and Aunt Carol DiCerbo. Carol grew up serving customers and making memories at the Yankee Doodle Drive-In in Norwalk, the family restaurant her father built from a dream. She often recalled those busy summers beginning when she was 12 years old, rolling out of bed, tying her apron, and walking twenty feet to the Doodle, as some of the happiest, most formative times of her life. It was a time filled with laughter, chaos, and deep connection with her family. She recalled hustling alongside her siblings, taking shifts at the grill, and sharing heartfelt moments with her father. Despite the long hours and hard work, Carol cherished the closeness it brought to her family, "we learned to cope and cherished our relationship with our father and brother after we left the Doodle." Those summers, she said, despite the effort, forged memories of "always being together and lots of laughter." Carol met the love of her life, Andy, as a freshman at UCONN in 1963, a day she remembered with vivid warmth and clarity. She described him as a handsome young man with thick wavy dark hair, a broad smile, a muscular frame, and a tremendous amount of energy. From that first kiss as he walked her to her dorm, they never left each other's side. Carol cherished their life together as "exciting, fulfilled, blessed, and fruitful." Carol enjoyed a 35-year career as a devoted special educator before launching a second career as the owner and manager of a home care business, assisting both clients and staff with the same warmth she brought to the classroom. After this chapter she remained a loyal partner in her husband's real estate ventures. Carol deeply admired those who made the effort to stay connected, to nurture bonds across time and distance. She recognized this gift in others and cherished it in herself. She saw these connections as life's true treasures. For over 45 summers, Carol returned to the shores of Sebago Lake with family and friends, a place she described as "our temporarily owned magnificent lake," where days were filled with sunrises, laughter, and the closeness of family and friends. Sebago was one of the many traditions that recharged our spirit and deepened our family's bond. Even in life's most stressful seasons, Carol remained grounded by her natural optimism and a quiet strength she cultivated through mindfulness. Her calming presence, shaped by years of practice and reflection, helped others feel steady in the storm. Carol was a woman of love, depth, and unwavering presence. She lived for connection, not only within her family, but with everyone whose life she touched. She was a confidant, a counselor, a teacher, a friend. In every role she played, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend, she brought warmth, patience, and understanding. She listened not just to hear, but to truly know others. Her quiet strength and deep loyalty made those around her feel seen and supported. Carol didn't need grand experiences to find joy although she traveled far and had many. She lived fully in each moment, and when life pulled her away from the present, she always found her way back; with reflection, with calm, with grace. She believed in enduring together, in supporting one another through hardship and joy alike. Her love, her actions, and her words will echo in all of us. As she once wrote, she believed the essence of who we are continues on-out there in the universe, full of love and understanding, reuniting with those who came before. She spoke of her brother Nick waiting to greet her, and we trust they are together now. And while she embarks on her next great adventure, we will carry on her legacy. We will take care of each other, love each other, and listen more deeply; just as she taught us. This is a loss we cannot reason through; it must be endured. And so we will endure it together. A life well lived. A job well done. We'll take it from here, Mom. Thank you for being wonderful. Be at peace. Carol Ann's family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Sunday, June 22nd, from 2pm to 5pm. Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, June 23rd at 11am. Interment will follow in In Memoriam Cemetery, Wallingford. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol, please visit our floral store.