Carrie was a mother, daughter, sister, friend, artist, teacher the list goes on. Her true essence is found in how she elegantly wore all these hats. With her creativity, intelligence, sharp wit, compassion, and humor, Carrie was able to reach people and whomever it may be, her friend, her student, a stray dog (she rescued quite a few!), young or old, you responded. With flair, her light filled the room, kept you laughing, and warmed your heart. 

 

Carrie had innate creativity and an eye for the aesthetic. Her talent for drawing and painting led her from art student to art teacher. Carrie's early jobs included art camp counselor, ceramics teacher, pro at party decor, and muralist.  Her undergraduate degree was in art history and her Master's was in art education. Carrie was thrilled to be an art teacher at Jonas Salk Middle School. She adored mothering her two daughters and returned to teaching water color painting at the Mid-Island Y-JCC. It was there, that Carrie spearheaded an Alzheimer's therapy and support group. Developing the art therapy component of the program, she assisted in writing the grant proposal and succeeded in obtaining funding from New York State for the project.

 

Not only did she accomplish all of this, but she did it all in the face of breast cancer. The best can-do attitude in the face of numerous obstacles, she was never defined by this wretched disease. Heart-breakingly, breast cancer stole Carrie from all of us.  "Too early" is an understatement. The world lost a magical soul and she is missed terribly. However, through her two greatest achievements, her children and her work, Carrie's legacy continues.