Carol Anne Chiavetta Schillace
Carol Anne Chiavetta Schillace
Carol Anne Chiavetta Schillace, of Lakewood, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024, with her son David by her side. She was born February 20, 1942, in Buffalo, NY to Josephin L. Antonucci and Nunzio F. Chiavetta and grew up in Brant, NY.
She is survived by her son, David, and two daughters, Lisa and Linda. She is also survived by three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves behind a sister, Marguerite Rammacher; brothers, Anthony (Marge) Chiavetta, John (Mary Ann) Chiavetta, and David (Lisa) Chiavetta; several nieces and nephews; along with her beloved cats, Big and Little.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Anna Chiavetta.
A 1960 graduate of Lake Shore High School in Angola, NY, Carol received her LPN degree from Buffalo School of Practical Nursing in 1968 and her BSN from University at Buffalo in 1975. She served as a public health nurse for the Chautauqua County Department of Health from 1975 to 1977 and then as a public health nurse for Erie County in Buffalo, NY from 1977 to 1979. She finished her nursing career as a community mental health nurse in outpatient services at Gowanda Psychiatric Center where she retired in 2000.
Carol joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1979 and served in the 265th Mash Unit as well as the 338th General Hospital. She reached the rank of lieutenant colonel and retired as a major in 1998 after 18 ¢ years of service. She deeply appreciated the training she received from the Active Army during summer camp, which she considered an ideal learning environment where the reservists were treated with the greatest respect and patience.
During summer training, Carol also worked in active-duty military hospitals. She enjoyed forming friendships with her fellow reservists and having the opportunity to work at many Army bases. Her interactions with the enlisted personnel and their families allowed her to learn about the struggles and hardships they endured in service to our country and always felt they should be commended for that.
In her spare time, Carol loved to read, garden, cook, care for her home, and be with family. A favorite quote of hers was, “When it is all over and I am asked what I did with my life, I want to be able to say, ‘I offered love.'”
As requested by Carol, there will be no services or visitation.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.
To leave a condolence, please visit lindfuneral home.com