Obituary of Carol K. Armstrong

Among the fireworks, Carol K. Armstrong passed away on this Fourth of July in Rhinebeck, NY. She was 70 and still gorgeous.

Mary Carrol Kucskar was born in Troy, NY to Thomas and Helen Kucskar. She grew up in Watervliet, NY, where she was known to everyone as “Dee”. She attended St. Brigid’s School and graduated from Catholic Central High in 1970. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the French National Honor Society, Debate Club, the Usherettes and most importantly, attended 19 proms.

The mountains called her south, where she graduated from the State University at New Paltz, with a bachelor’s degree in English. There, she became an Arethusa sister and broke several hearts.

Carol had two children- Thomas Trapani of Highland, NY and Michelle Mullooly of Poughkeepsie, NY. They will miss her voice, her hugs, and the smell of her perfume. Her grandson Mickey Mullooly, longs for “Nana” to “just come in through the front door”.

Carol was a kind and gentle soul. She was creative and generous. An avid gardener, Carol loved flowers and creating special moments. She shared her talents for all things crafty, with her “homegirls”, Rebecca Brooks, Jennifer Johnson, and Deanna Grigsby.

Carol was a lifetime member of the Sheafe Road Elementary PTA, where she served at the Vice President for Programs for many years and tended to their rosebushes. She was also a self-proclaimed “semi-professional dancer”, performing in dance recitals with Wappingers Dance Educators where she started their first class for adult dancers and then joining mother/daughter classes with Michelle.

Carol was a New York State Certified Teacher and worked for many districts, but most fondly remembered her time at Violet Avenue Elementary School with Dan Kuffner. She was also most grateful for her beloved and admired friend and mentor Elva Adams, at Poughkeepsie High School.

Carol leaves behind two best friends, Christine Connell of Waterford, NY and Mary Jane Patton of Wappingers Falls, NY. Both of whom will miss their chats, but may finally be able to get a word in.

Carol was predeceased by her parents and her brother, John. She leaves behind her favorite family, her brother Thomas Kucskar, Jr. and his wife Gaylynn of Amherst, NY, nephew Jonathan Kucskar along with his wife Emily and trio of daughters in Baltimore, MD, and adored niece Maryssa Kucskar Mitcsh and her husband Eric of Sonoma, CA.

After battling the effects of a stroke for the last 18 months, Carol was finally brought home by her father on his birthday. She would not have had it any other way.

Calling hours will be at Straub Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home in Wappingers Falls on Saturday, July 9^th from 1pm-4pm, with a celebration of Carol at 4pm. Flowers are welcomed, as well as donations to the American Association of University Women (https://www.aauw.org/) in Carol’s memory.