Carol Ann Pettirossi, 77, Vero Beach
Carol Ann Pettirossi, 77, of Vero Beach, passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of our Lord on Sept. 8, 2020, at Somerset House in Oak Harbor. She had been battling a degenerative nerve condition at Someset House since March of 2019.
Her spiritual strength and fierce determination helped her deal with her condition until God chose to bring her to Him. She will be long remembered for these characteristics.
Carol was born in Middleboro, Mass., to Edward and Margaret Begin who predeceased her.
She leaves her loving husband, Ron, of 56 years; and daughter, Joy Poland (Tim), of Foster, R.I.; son, Damon Pettirossi, of Sugar Hill, Ga.; and her loving grandchildren, Ashley Hendrickson, Angelina Pettirossi and Ariana Pettirossi, all of Sugar Hill, and Jayce Poland, of Foster. She also leaves her brothers, Jon Begin (Joan), of North Palm Beach, Fla., and Edward Begin (Patty), of Lakeville, Mass.; sister, Roslyn (Bob), of Lakeville, Mass.; and brother-in-law, Bob Pettirossi (Nancy), of Dover, N.H. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.
Carol attended New Bedford, Mass., high school and obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass., where she met her husband. She was a devoted wife and mother and the type of friend who would always be there when needed. She studied many meditation and self-help techniques, which she shared with numerous people who were dealing with physical and emotional problems. She believed God called her to be of service to others.
Carol was a loving nursery schoolteacher in Ellington, Ct., for several years and then became the Marketing Director for Argosy Travel for 15 years.
She was continually active in community affairs serving on the Recreation Commission in Ellington, Ct., as a faith formation teacher at St. Luke Church in Ellington and was also active on numerous projects at the Ellington Ridge Country Club.
In addition, Carol was a Hospice volunteer for 20 years with the VNA of Vernon, Ct.
After moving to Vero Beach, Carol became a communicant at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian, where she co-founded the Life’s Healing Circle Ministry.
She was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing tennis. But she most enjoyed the many trips she and Ron experienced with their traveling companions of more than 30 years, Carol, and Gerry O’Connell. Vacations trips to Europe, the Caribbean and various parts of the US were always special to Carol. She loved the many sailing trips on the O’Connell’s boat where she became a helpful mate with several of the on-board chores.
Carol lived life to the fullest but never wavered in her help and service to others. She was a special person with an amazing sense of humor and a gift of telling stories and making people laugh. She was a beloved Grandma and Nonna to her grandchildren and a constant source of strength and love to her family. Her relationship with her son-in-law, Tim, was incredibly special to her. Carol will be deeply missed.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Somerset house, Hospice and VNA for watching over her and keeping her spirits up with as much comfort as possible.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to be made to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian, with Father John Morrissey, celebrant.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in Connecticut in 2021.
