Carole M. O'Donnell

December 22, 1941 - August 4, 2021

Carole Marie Finnegan O’Donnell Dec. 22nd, 1941-August 4th, 2021 Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes, we enjoyed together Call me by my old familiar name. Carole, Mom, Mom-Mom… we will always speak the name of this beautiful lady as if she is right beside us because she is and always will be. Our beautiful mother was a force of nature. Fierce in all things: love, faith, humor, strength, wisdom, joy, and family. Our mother taught each of us how to live a life fully, fiercely, and with great love. Following a valiant 2 1/2-year fight against pancreatic cancer, our mother Carole passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband of 59 years, her 4 children and several of her 13 grandchildren. Our mother was blessed to spend her last weeks at home with her family on her beloved Sacandaga Lake. Mom’s strong spirit fought to the very end. She fought to stay with the people she loved most, in particular, her partner and best friend for life, her husband Jim. They are devoted to each other and held hands every moment of the last few days. Although she is no longer here with him, she will always be with him every moment until they meet again. Our mother was truly amazing in every sense of the word. She taught us to love, to give of ourselves, to put family first, to forgive, but most of all she taught us to laugh. Our mother was a character with a quick Irish wit and a contagious “Finnegan” laugh. She had a sharp tongue and a risqué sense of humor. In her most painful moments, she made all the doctors and nurses laugh with her zingers. You always knew when Carole was nearby; she lit up a room with her beauty, personality, and laughter. She loved life so completely and was loved completely in return. Family was our mother’s greatest pride. She taught us to love each other and to place family at the center of our lives as she and our father always did. Their door was always open to all extended family whenever that call came. Their home whether it was in Flushing, Baldwin, or Town of Day was everyone’s family home. Our hearts are broken to pieces and we will never be the same without her. We will miss loving her in person, holding her hand, and laughing uncontrollably at her jokes. We will miss her flare for the dramatic and her gorgeous sense of style. Although she lost her battle, she went with style and flare, drifting away to the tune of Moon River, one of her favorite songs. We will miss you our huckleberry friend. We take comfort knowing you will always be with us holding our hands. Our beautiful mother Carole is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, James Michael O’Donnell, her four children, Jean-Marie, Julia (Steven), James (Elizabeth), and Dennis (Katie), and 13 grandchildren, Brian, Michael, Daniel, Gregory (Christina), Laura, Luke, Keelin, Bridget, Sean, Liam, Mary Kate, Regan, and Luke. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Northville Funeral Service, 401 Bridge Street Northville, NY, August 9th 4 pm-7 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 am on August 10th at St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church followed by a burial at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Johnstown, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in my mother’s name may be made to Lustgarten Foundation or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.