Carol A. Ingrassia

Carol Ann Yeager Ingrassia passed away on Monday, October 30. She was born on December 27, 1934 and grew up in Bayside, Queens in New York City. She attended Bayside High School and lived with her brother Warren, mother Beatrice, and father Al who was a New York City policeman. Carol met Peter S. Ingrassia while she was in high school and married him in 1955. They lived briefly in New Mexico while Peter was stationed there in the Air Force and moved back to New York where Peter worked as a Mechanical Engineer and Carol gave birth to their first child, Donna, in 1957. They lived in Glen Cove on Long Island, had a son, John in 1959, and eventually moved to Smithtown where by 1965, they had two more sons, Peter and Mark. Carol was a devoted mother who deeply loved her children and treasured her critical role as a fulltime caretaker and nurturer. She was a natural born social butterfly all her life and made friends as easily as it took for her to smile and welcome someone into her warm embrace. Carol thrived as a stay-at-home mom and was more likely to view motherhood and the challenges and pleasures that accompany it, as a calling and passion than an obligation. Her patience, empathy, warmth, and confidence in her role enabled her children to learn and grow in the security of the lively home she created for them. When the children were old enough, she worked in school administration at several institutions including St. Patrick’s elementary school, St. Anthony’s high school, La Salle Military Academy, Dowling College, and Touro Law School, all on Long Island. She was also corresponding secretary of the Rosary Altar Society at St. Patrick’s Church and president of the Mother’s Guild at St. Anthony’s high school. Her warm and welcoming demeanor made her accessible to students and faculty alike, and she was the go-to person for anyone with personal problems or concerns, or simply anyone needing someone to listen closely and lift their burden. Carol was always willing to assist others in her administrative role but also in her personal life where she and her husband Peter didn’t hesitate to offer the kinds of small but meaningful actions that add up to a lifetime of giving, and at times profoundly affected the lives of those they assisted. This pattern of selfless and compassionate behavior continued when Carol and her husband retired to Florida where Carol volunteered at the local sharing center of her parish to assist the very needy members of their community with the basic requirements for a healthy and dignified existence. Her more than twenty years in Florida were full of wonderful moments with friends and family, and Carol never lost touch with her deep faith and religion, nor how grateful she was for the many blessings bestowed upon her. She had a wonderful life that revolved around her family, her many friends and relationships within the Catholic Church and the academic institutions to which she contributed so much, as well as in the communities she lived in over the course of her lifetime.
Ultimately, Carol Ann Yeager Ingrassia, our wonderful mother, was a positive force in the world, the epitome of a joyful soul whose warmth and compassion touched everyone she encountered. We will miss her immensely but carry her in our hearts forever.

Dear Donna,

I was at 7:30 Mass last Sunday and heard your moms name offered in the faithful departed. I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like such an awesome loving mom. I pray for you and your family during this difficult time.
Donna, after my mom died in 1974, you and Tommy searched and found me to share your loving condolences with me. I can’t thank you enough for that perfect loving act. I hope to reconnect with you and Tommy, once again, if it be Gods will.
Maybe through your moms intercession, we can meet again.

May she rest in peace. Amen.

Jeanie (Perugi) Walters 757-880-6212 (cell)