Carolann Doris Clifford, age 82, of Wappingers Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13th, 2025.

Carolann  was born in New York, NY, to Joseph and Frances O’Brien, on May 7, 1943. She graduated from St. Simon Stock High School located in Bronx, NY and went on to earn her nursing degree from Bellevue School of Nursing, New York, NY, in 1964. Carolann worked as a nurse in various specialties before finding her passion as a psychiatric nurse, working for the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene for over twenty-five years. Carolann provided the most compassionate care to her patients as a well-informed psychiatric nurse and therapist. She was able to engage patients in treatment, first with her trust and compassion, and guide them through treatment. She impacted the lives of each and every patient in her care.

Carolann married James “Kevin” Clifford (her polar opposite and imperfectly perfect companion) in 1965 and they shared 37 years together until Kevin’s death in 2002.  They began their life together in New York, NY and moved to Wappingers Falls, NY to a home on Crabapple Court, where they would be part of a lifelong neighborhood family that is cherished by all who had the good fortune to live there. 

Carolann is survived by her daughter Kimberly Diberto (Dave) of Richmond, VA, daughter Noelle Alix (Tim) of Simsbury, CT and James Clifford (Cathy), of Mahopac, NY, her nine grandchildren Conor (Alice) Diberto of Midlothian, VA, Caroline Byrne (Ryan) of Boston, MA, Cailin Jessup (Jack) of Richmond, VA, Cate Alix (Andrew) of Simsbury, CT, Claire Alix (Gab) of New York, NY, Carlie Diberto of Richmond, VA, and JK Clifford, Jack Clifford and Sadie Clifford, all of Mahopac, NY.  She is also survived by two great grandchildren - June Diberto and Teddy Jessup.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Carolann is survived by her loving siblings, Diane Fitzgerald of Fishkill, NY, Elizabeth Devlin (Woody) of Wappingers Falls, NY, John O’Brien (Maureen) of Bronx, NY, as well as many nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends.

Carolann’s greatest joy was her family and she embraced every opportunity to create lasting memories, whether it was family dinners, vacations, parties, and every important event of each family member’s life. She taught us all the importance of family, the importance of showing up, and staying strong through life’s challenges.  

We were so very lucky to have her in our lives and we will carry her spirit forward.

A visitation will be held at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E Main St, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, on Friday, July 18th from 4-7 pm.  A funeral mass followed by a burial will be held at 10 am on Saturday, July 19 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls NY, 12590. Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Carolann Clifford to support cancer research and patient care at:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.