Obituary for Carole Joyce Carver (Casssady)
Glenville, NY – Carole Joyce Carver, 90, died June 18, 2022 after a long period of declining health. Carole was born August 18, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Gerald and Vivian (Wilson) Cassady.
She lived in Grosse Pointe, Michigan until the fourth grade when her family moved to the Forest Park area of Springfield, Mass. There, she joined several organizations including Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Nisimaha/The Girl Reserves, and Girl Scouts. Later, she attended Classical High School where she met her high school sweetheart, Sherwood “Woody” Elmer Carver.
In college, Carole first attended Ohio Wesleyan University for two years, becoming a member of the “Phi Society” Sorority. She then transferred to UMass Amherst, becoming a member of “Zeta Tau Alpha” Sorority, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in June of 1953 with degrees in Elementary Education and English. Carole had completed her studies the previous December in 3 ½ years. Carole and Woody then married on June 27, 1953 and moved to Newton, MA. where Carole worked as a children’s librarian at the Newton public library, which helped Woody to attend and complete his studies at Boston University School of Theology. Carole’s long working career went on to include teaching second grade in Wilbraham, Massachusetts; third grade in Newton, Mass; preschool in the parsonage’s basement in South Burlington, VT; a private kindergarten she started in South Burlington; and elementary school in Gloversville, NY. Carole also worked as a librarian/Children’s Story Time leader at the Voorheesville public library; placed animals in adoptive families at the Pet Exchange in Latham; was a receptionist at the Burnt Hills Veterinarian Hospital; and worked the Country Store at the Teresian House. She also found time to be a Cub Scout den leader for David’s troop; Girl Scout leader for Diane’s troop; teach Sunday School for over 50 years; and remain active in the United Methodist Women, including Vice President of the Albany District and other offices in the UMW Conference of the former Troy Conference.
Carole was a devoted and supporting partner with each of Woody’s congregations starting in Weston, Vermont where Woody, while still in school, received his first assignment at the Old Parish Church. After Woody’s graduation their time began at Hope United Methodist Church (Eagle Mills, NY) and First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio where the family doubled with the birth of their two children. Faith United Methodist church in South Burlington, Vermont was next with Woody’s assignment founding a new church and both were privileged and proud to be there in 2015 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Back to New York they first went to First United Methodist Church in Gloversville, and then Voorheesville, followed by Calvary United Methodist Church (Latham), and Burnt Hills United Methodist Church. Woody retired in 1995 but accepted one last assignment as Pastor of Visitation at Delmar United Methodist Church until 2009 when Woody (and Carole) retired again, this time for good. Carole, “Mrs. C” or “Mom” to many, will be remembered for many things including her ever-present smile and her love of the stage. Her love of drama and stage presence began early with a part in a Kindergarten school play. As the story goes, she said to her mom, “did you notice my ‘spression’?” She always had lots of expression in her acting roles. Some of Carole’s memorable roles included Pebria in Birds’ “Christmas Carol” and Lah in “Jane Eyre” at Classical High School; Millie Lou in “June Mad” at Trinity Methodist Church in Springfield, Mass.; Millicent in “Cinderella” while attending Ohio Wesleyan; Stella Livingston in “Light Up the Sky” at UMass Amherst; Mammy Yokum in “Lil Abner” in Columbus, Ohio; and the family’s most memorable role was singing and performing as “Second Hand Rose” with Calvary’s Footlighter’s in Latham. Carole once tried her hand as a director (other than “pressing” her younger brother, Bob, into neighborhood plays) in the Classical High School performance of “Pride and Prejudice.” It’s the only picture we have where she’s not smiling.
Carole had a lifelong love of cats and dogs, some as rescued or adopted including her last love ‘Hopalong Cassidy’, a tan tabby who walked with a limp. In her “free time”, Carole was an avid book reader and belonged to several book clubs, including a Pastor’s Wives club of many years where she developed many cherished friends; attended and/or led various bible studies, groups, and clubs with Woody; visited shut-ins with Woody (sometimes bringing homemade baked goods or floral arrangements); hosted an untold number of occasions at the various parsonages; and helped edit and type up Woody’s papers throughout seminary and then his MANY sermons in their life years of ministry. She was also known for her blue-ribbon award-winning apple pie that she started making (along with cakes and sandwiches) as a fundraiser at “The Cellar” for the Weston Playhouse (a professional summer theatre in Weston, VT!)
Carole was preceded by her husband Woody of 63 years; her sister-in-law, Mary; a niece, Deborah Cassady; and a close family friend, John (Cindi) Mikulik. Carole is survived by her children, Diane (Dan) Kendall and David (Karen) Carver; her grandchildren, Michael Kendall (Melody Tien), Jonathan Carver (Yae-Ji Kim), Kyle Kendall, and Sarah Carver; her brother, Robert Cassady and stepbrother, Richard (Connie) Adams; brother-in-law, Richard (Gloria) Carver; sister-in-law, Janice Carver (Norma Long), four nephews, three nieces, two great nieces, and one great-great nephew.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookdale Niskayuna, Brookdale East Niskayuna, and Glendale Nursing Home for the extraordinary and dedicated care provided to Carole.
A service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, July 2nd at 10 a.m. at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham. Masks are optional, but please respect people’s space. A burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be provided in Carole’s name to any of the churches where the Carvers have served (see below) or a charity of your choice.
Old Parish Church, 100 Main St, Weston, VT 05161
First Community Church, South Campus, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43212
Hope United Methodist Church, 566 Brunswick Rd, Troy, NY 12180
Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St, South Burlington, VT 05403
Foothills United Methodist Church, 17 Fremont St, Gloversville, NY 12078
First United Methodist Church, 66 Maple Avenue Voorheesville, NY 12186
Calvary United Methodist Church, 15 Ridge Pl, Latham, NY 12110
Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills, NY 12027
First United Methodist Church of Delmar, 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, NY 12054
She lived in Grosse Pointe, Michigan until the fourth grade when her family moved to the Forest Park area of Springfield, Mass. There, she joined several organizations including Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Nisimaha/The Girl Reserves, and Girl Scouts. Later, she attended Classical High School where she met her high school sweetheart, Sherwood “Woody” Elmer Carver.
In college, Carole first attended Ohio Wesleyan University for two years, becoming a member of the “Phi Society” Sorority. She then transferred to UMass Amherst, becoming a member of “Zeta Tau Alpha” Sorority, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in June of 1953 with degrees in Elementary Education and English. Carole had completed her studies the previous December in 3 ½ years. Carole and Woody then married on June 27, 1953 and moved to Newton, MA. where Carole worked as a children’s librarian at the Newton public library, which helped Woody to attend and complete his studies at Boston University School of Theology. Carole’s long working career went on to include teaching second grade in Wilbraham, Massachusetts; third grade in Newton, Mass; preschool in the parsonage’s basement in South Burlington, VT; a private kindergarten she started in South Burlington; and elementary school in Gloversville, NY. Carole also worked as a librarian/Children’s Story Time leader at the Voorheesville public library; placed animals in adoptive families at the Pet Exchange in Latham; was a receptionist at the Burnt Hills Veterinarian Hospital; and worked the Country Store at the Teresian House. She also found time to be a Cub Scout den leader for David’s troop; Girl Scout leader for Diane’s troop; teach Sunday School for over 50 years; and remain active in the United Methodist Women, including Vice President of the Albany District and other offices in the UMW Conference of the former Troy Conference.
Carole was a devoted and supporting partner with each of Woody’s congregations starting in Weston, Vermont where Woody, while still in school, received his first assignment at the Old Parish Church. After Woody’s graduation their time began at Hope United Methodist Church (Eagle Mills, NY) and First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio where the family doubled with the birth of their two children. Faith United Methodist church in South Burlington, Vermont was next with Woody’s assignment founding a new church and both were privileged and proud to be there in 2015 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Back to New York they first went to First United Methodist Church in Gloversville, and then Voorheesville, followed by Calvary United Methodist Church (Latham), and Burnt Hills United Methodist Church. Woody retired in 1995 but accepted one last assignment as Pastor of Visitation at Delmar United Methodist Church until 2009 when Woody (and Carole) retired again, this time for good. Carole, “Mrs. C” or “Mom” to many, will be remembered for many things including her ever-present smile and her love of the stage. Her love of drama and stage presence began early with a part in a Kindergarten school play. As the story goes, she said to her mom, “did you notice my ‘spression’?” She always had lots of expression in her acting roles. Some of Carole’s memorable roles included Pebria in Birds’ “Christmas Carol” and Lah in “Jane Eyre” at Classical High School; Millie Lou in “June Mad” at Trinity Methodist Church in Springfield, Mass.; Millicent in “Cinderella” while attending Ohio Wesleyan; Stella Livingston in “Light Up the Sky” at UMass Amherst; Mammy Yokum in “Lil Abner” in Columbus, Ohio; and the family’s most memorable role was singing and performing as “Second Hand Rose” with Calvary’s Footlighter’s in Latham. Carole once tried her hand as a director (other than “pressing” her younger brother, Bob, into neighborhood plays) in the Classical High School performance of “Pride and Prejudice.” It’s the only picture we have where she’s not smiling.
Carole had a lifelong love of cats and dogs, some as rescued or adopted including her last love ‘Hopalong Cassidy’, a tan tabby who walked with a limp. In her “free time”, Carole was an avid book reader and belonged to several book clubs, including a Pastor’s Wives club of many years where she developed many cherished friends; attended and/or led various bible studies, groups, and clubs with Woody; visited shut-ins with Woody (sometimes bringing homemade baked goods or floral arrangements); hosted an untold number of occasions at the various parsonages; and helped edit and type up Woody’s papers throughout seminary and then his MANY sermons in their life years of ministry. She was also known for her blue-ribbon award-winning apple pie that she started making (along with cakes and sandwiches) as a fundraiser at “The Cellar” for the Weston Playhouse (a professional summer theatre in Weston, VT!)
Carole was preceded by her husband Woody of 63 years; her sister-in-law, Mary; a niece, Deborah Cassady; and a close family friend, John (Cindi) Mikulik. Carole is survived by her children, Diane (Dan) Kendall and David (Karen) Carver; her grandchildren, Michael Kendall (Melody Tien), Jonathan Carver (Yae-Ji Kim), Kyle Kendall, and Sarah Carver; her brother, Robert Cassady and stepbrother, Richard (Connie) Adams; brother-in-law, Richard (Gloria) Carver; sister-in-law, Janice Carver (Norma Long), four nephews, three nieces, two great nieces, and one great-great nephew.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookdale Niskayuna, Brookdale East Niskayuna, and Glendale Nursing Home for the extraordinary and dedicated care provided to Carole.
A service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, July 2nd at 10 a.m. at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham. Masks are optional, but please respect people’s space. A burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be provided in Carole’s name to any of the churches where the Carvers have served (see below) or a charity of your choice.
Old Parish Church, 100 Main St, Weston, VT 05161
First Community Church, South Campus, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43212
Hope United Methodist Church, 566 Brunswick Rd, Troy, NY 12180
Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St, South Burlington, VT 05403
Foothills United Methodist Church, 17 Fremont St, Gloversville, NY 12078
First United Methodist Church, 66 Maple Avenue Voorheesville, NY 12186
Calvary United Methodist Church, 15 Ridge Pl, Latham, NY 12110
Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills, NY 12027
First United Methodist Church of Delmar, 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, NY 12054