Strength and simplicity are what Carolyn has represented to those who knew her.
Mom comfortably glided into God’s loving arms on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016, with love surrounding her. In her final days, she resigned her determination against the challenges of MS that she faced with dignity and acceptance for over half of her life.
Carolyn was born March 20, 1945, in Jamestown, N.Y., and was a Panama, N.Y., resident until 1964, when she began her family with George Barone in Lakewood, N.Y,, working in journalism and marketing with The Post-Journal and Tac Mac until becoming disabled in 1985. She relocated to Rochester, N.Y., in 1991. She was active in many civic groups and volunteering and was a member of Spiritus Christi Church.
Carolyn was known for her strength, resilience, compassion and unending love and commitment to her children, Adam Barone and Kristin Barone. They were her life. Carolyn touched so many lives of the many neighbors and caregivers and her family is incredibly grateful to them all, including those at VNS (Gina, Alicia, Nancy) and MCH (a “favorite” of so many). She was known to have genuine interest in all of the lives of those who assisted her, as her way of giving back and connecting, which came so natural to her.
Carolyn loved sunshine and was outdoors as much as possible with a book. She loved having visitors, cats, watching the game, and – prior to her admittance to MCH in 2011, had resided and travelled with longtime companion and most special friend of 25 years, Dr. Merle Hirsh, who just recently passed away.
Surviving are her two beloved children: Kristin Barone (Michelle Giglio) of Rochester, N.Y., and Adam Barone of New York City; and her immensely-loved granddaugther, Lucia Barone, age 7, also of New York City. Extended family include Anthony and Elaine Barone and nieces, Lisa (Willy) Wallace, Dana (Tom) Lovecchio and Lori (Michael) Dornberger and their families; Monica Mitchell and nephews, Matthew (Christine) Mitchell and Michael (Kimberly) Mitchell; and the loving Hirsh Family: Karen, Jeff, Jody and Frank.
She was predeceased by parents, Ken and Ruth (Roush) Mitchell; brother Ken Mitchell, and cousins, Charles and Rose Zeiser and Jim and MaryLou Taylor, whose families have all been so very close to Carolyn’s.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, May 12, 1:30 p.m., at Spiritus Christi in the sanctuary of Downtown Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614, with reception immediately following. All are welcome. There will be no calling hours.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held in Jamestown, N.Y., in late spring/early summer. Internment of ashes will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery, in Lakewood.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a written sentiment here that can be preserved for her family and granddaugther, so that she may better know her grandmother’s legacy, or a memorial donation to the Upstate NY MS Society, or Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.
Click here to DONATE in memory of Carolyn R. Barone.
Published in The Post Journal, May 10, 2016
