Carolyn Ann Carlo

Carolyn Ann Carlo, lovingly known as “Nana,” passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, at the age of 96 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Born in Cooperstown, New York, Carolyn spent her early years in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where she was especially close to her beloved father and grandmother, whose love, strength, and grace helped shape the woman she would become. In 1950, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, beginning a new chapter while living with her cherished Aunt Helen, whom she adored and spoke of often with deep admiration. She would often say she came from a family of strong women - a legacy she carried proudly throughout her own life.

She attended Brooklyn College and studied interior decor. It was also in Brooklyn, in 1952, where she met and married the love of her life, Frank Carlo. Together they built a beautiful life centered around love, family, and devotion. In 1962, they settled in Oradell, New Jersey, where they raised their two daughters and created an elegantly warm and welcoming home. In 1979, they retired to Boca Raton, Florida, where they spent many joyful years together. In 2013, Carolyn moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to be closer to her daughter Karen and family.

Carolyn was a woman of remarkable strength, resilience, intelligence, and unmistakable style. In her younger years, she worked as a showroom model in New York City, carrying with her a natural elegance and confidence that remained part of her presence throughout her life.

Family meant everything to her. She loved deeply and devoted herself fully to the people she cared for. She took enormous pride in creating a beautiful home and life for her family and found joy in antiques, decorating, fashion, gardening, travel, and the thoughtful details that make life meaningful. She taught those closest to her the importance of caring for yourself, your home, and the way you move through the world with dignity and grace.

She was deeply proud of her country and had a lifelong love of history, current events, and learning. Well-read, insightful, and incredibly wise, there was very little she could not discuss with knowledge and passion. She loved conversation, had strong opinions, and possessed a sharp wit and vibrant mind that stayed with her throughout her life.

After the passing of her beloved husband Frank, Carolyn continued building a life she was proud of in Boca Raton, where she worked at Lynn Insurance from 1987 until her retirement in 1999.

She was well-traveled, fiercely independent and determined, living on her own until the very end - exactly as she wished. Full of stories, wisdom, warmth, and quiet strength, she was truly one of a kind. To know her was to know a woman who carried herself with elegance, spoke with conviction, loved fiercely, and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to meet her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank Carlo, and her daughter, Debra Nuckols.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Karen Ivanhoff; granddaughter Jennifer Lavallee; Jennifer’s husband, Charles Lavallee; and extended family.

A private family service will be held in Boca Raton, Florida, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Frank.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that she be remembered by living with strength, dignity, kindness, and appreciation for life’s beauty - the very qualities she carried so gracefully throughout her 96 years.