Carol Jeanne Mcmurrer

Carol Jeanne (Othote) McMurrer was a bright light in this world! Born in Brooklyn, NY to Agnes Josephine (Anderson) Othote and Louis Joseph Othote, Sr., Carol moved to Rockville Centre, NY as a girl and spent many blissful summers with her grandparents, Florida (Descoteau) Othote and Louis Noe Othote at 30 Pine Street, Nantucket. After high school, Carol earned a degree in Retail and Merchandising before heading off to work in Ladies’ Fashions at Stern’s Department Store in NYC, where her sense of style and helpful personality flourished. Her cousin Donnell introduced her to his college buddy, Lawrence Vincent McMurrer, and they were married November 26, 1955. They welcomed a son, Robert Patrick McMurrer of blessed memory and formerly Georgetown , Texas: a daughter, Kathleen Ann (McMurrer) Huntington of Newcastle Maine; and her Irish Twin, Eileen McMurrer of West Hartford, CT. Carol was a gentle, patient wife and mother who loved God, her family, friends, and anyone in need. Their home in Fort Salonga, NY was the scene of wonderful cookouts, croquet matches and celebrations for twenty years. Carol was a voracious reader, a very talented listener, loved designing and creating beautiful flower gardens, shared her love of embroidery with her daughters, and her home-made tasty treats with everyone! Carol and Larry retired to their beloved Wakefield, RI, and called it home for almost 30 yeas. They were devoted communicants of Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, and could often be found at the URI Catholic Center, helping wherever needed. Carol especially loved her friends on the Social Action Committee, Father Joe, and Father Jared. Her gardening was renewed with the help of her friend, Arv, and she arranged numerous rocks to beautiful effect, edging the beds with local quahog shells. Carol was an avid supporter of the Museum for Primitive Arts and Culture, which inspired her collections of baskets and pottery crafted by indigenous artists. Carol saw beauty in all things, and delighted in sharing it with others, young and old. The Ryan Arena was the only place she raised her voice, cheering on “her boys”, the URI Rams men’s basketball, with her beloved brother Lou. In 2015, Carol and Larry moved to the Hartford area to be closer to their daughter, and Larry passed away shortly after celebrating 60 years of marriage. Carol settled into Avery Heights and was warmly welcomed by Myra and Don, then Nadine and Betty. Carol loved her Avery Heights home! Special thanks to Bill, Roseanne, Bascia, Alfonso, Teneiry, Maria, and so many more who loved her back!! Carol was a “giver”. When she saw a need, she filled it, welcoming newcomers, sending birthday cards, ensuring that her neighbors enjoyed a good breakfast, serving on the Library Committee and the Food Committee, sincerely asking, “How are you today?” and waiting for the reply. Carol was often in the Library, straightening the shelves, replacing books in the correct sections so they could be found more easily by the next reader. She was usually reading two or three books at a time, as well as magazines and the daily newspaper, and enjoyed the Avery Heights Book Club led by her friend Gale. Carol discovered the UConn Lady Huskies basketball team, and loved celebrating their wins with Myra, Betty and the gang. Carol passed away comfortably in her home on Friday, August 7, 2020. She had a Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the King, and was laid to rest in St. Francis cemetery next to her sweetheart Larry on Monday, August 10, followed by a private shiva service at her daughter’s synagogue, Beth El Temple, in West Hartford, CT. Carol was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother, David Brian Othote, her husband, her son, Robert Patrick McMurrer, and her grandson, Sean Patrick McMurrer. She leaves many family and friends to honor her memory, including her sister Marilou Bergmark of Lexington Park, MD and family Chris, Brett, Ali, Jocelyn and Colin, and David Bergmark; the best daughter (in-law) one could ever hope for, Dr. Susan Dittmar of Georgetown, TX and greatgrandson Brighton McMurrer Wulbrecht of WA; daughter Katie Huntington and husband Tom of Newcastle, ME, and sons Asher, Peter and Luke Huntington; daughter Eileen McMurrer and Liah and Aidan Kaminer of West Hartford, and grandson Michael and Lynn Webster and great granddaughters Olive and Emilie Webster of Lakeville, CT; along with brother-in-law Jack McMurrer of Plymouth, MA and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She held us all in her heart. Those who wish to join in honoring Carol may consider a donation to your favorite literacy group, providing books to a childcare center or domestic violence shelter, or relishing a book or two of your choice. Be kind to each other, and love your neighbors, near and far.