Carol A. Ascrizzi, formerly of Manhasset, New York, and later Arroyo Grande, California, passed away May 20, 2023 following a courageous and well-fought battle with Dementia.

Born Carol Ann Vatter in June 1948, she grew up in Long Beach, California the daughter of Claude A. and Barbara, a Fire Boat Operator and a Beauty Queen. Her parents felt strongly that their three children's education was best complemented with real life experiences, and certainly provided a wide array of wonderful destinations, up and down the coast of California, with an emphasis on State Parks, Beaches, Trailer Parks, River Campsites, and trips to Catalina Island. Their favorite destinations were the Klamath River, when the salmon and steelhead were running, and best of all was to Poptola, near Rosarito, Mexico, where the Vatters leased a piece of land for 99 years, anchored their trailer, and over the years expanded it into a lovely home overlooking the beach. Carol's interest in cooking most likely began in these early years in Mexico, developing a taste and talent for Latin American cuisine. These were certainly formative years for Carol and her brothers.

Carol's first job was during her sophomore year in high school, working for the Vatters' neighbor Oscar, who owned a German Bakery; here, another seed was planted as she developed a love for baking. She continued working for Oscar while studying Anthropology at California State University at Long Beach. After five years at the bakery, Carol went on to work for Avis Car Rental and, upon graduation, gave teaching a shot. She quickly determined it was not for her at this point in life, so back to Avis it was! Within a relatively short period, Carol viewed this as potentially her first career - she was correct, because Avis leadership saw that also. She was soon named regional manager of three Avis locations in Long Beach, one being the Airport.

Carol's next years were that of a successful career-oriented California Girl. Driving sports cars that had gone unrented on the weekends (sure, we'll believe that), and having cocktails on her apartment balcony with girlfriends. Suitors came and went, then fortunately for you-know-who on the east coast, Carol's boss invited her and two other managers to Pebble Beach to attend a Travel Industry Golf Tournament, the American Airlines DAGT. Two lives changed that weekend and their first date was for four nights over the New Year's holiday. Carol and Vic were married in the Lady Chapel at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, on May 12, 1979. Soon after, the newlyweds moved to the town of Manhasset on Long Island to start a family.

While raising their three children (no small feat itself), Carol dedicated her time as a Trustee of the Manhasset Public Library. A voracious reader, Carol was approached to fill a retiring Board Members' seat with the goal of building a new library, one befitting the wealth of information and resources it contained that she so readily consumed. In her nearly ten years of service, four of them as President, she worked alongside a wonderful fivesome of Board Members to advocate for and subsequently pass a budget that would build a new town library. Planned and erected between 2000-2005, a plaque at the entrance of the library now reads her name and those of her fellow Board Members, a permanent testament to their success. Her steadfast leadership was recognized as a member of the North Hempstead Women's Honor Roll in 2005.

It was around the same time when, encouraged by a dear friend and neighbor to lend her talents to do more good, Carol began a career with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. While her primary focus was grant writing, Carol willingly stepped into any role that needed filling at the nonprofit, including speaking engagements and organizing donor events throughout the tri-state area. The Make-A-Wish mission is one she supported wholeheartedly, and continued to do so even after stepping down from her position due to a bout with breast cancer.

Carol was a nurturing mother who loved to share her passion for art, nature, food, and travel with all who she cared for. A strong, no-nonsense woman with a sarcastic wit, those who love her remember her as opinionated but also warm (and occasionally hangry). She will be fondly remembered for her impeccable sewing skills that bore several Halloween and School Picture Day outfits, embarrassing her children by blasting country music in her minivan, and her legendary Christmas Cookie Swap parties.

Carol will also be remembered by her partners in service; she volunteered with countless organizations and delighted in helping others. In addition to sharing her culinary talents with her local Community Education programs, Carol finally found a teaching gig that fit - first grade Religious Education with St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manhasset, which she taught for 18 years. When she and Vic later relocated to Arroyo Grande, California, both were vocal and active supporters of the San Luis Obispo Festival Mosaic, and the annual SLO International Film Festival in particular. Gauging by the frequency of her visits it's possible that Carol also felt that Talbots clothing stores, too, were in need of her fervent support – but who were we to tell her otherwise?

Suffice to say, Carol was a light in the lives of many whose days are now dimmer without her here.

Carol leaves behind her loving husband, Victor of Boston, MA; daughter Claudia LeClair and husband David of Wayland, MA; son Robert and wife Jennifer of Ramsey, NJ, and son Gregory and wife Renee of Roslindale, MA. She also leaves grandchildren Caroline and Josephine LeClair, Matthew and Julia Ascrizzi, Sienna, Chiara, and Adeline Ascrizzi, as well as her brothers, Robert Vatter and wife Yasmin of Nipomo, CA, and Rick Vatter and partner Deb of Santa Ynez, CA.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Wednesday, June 7th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, June 8th at 10:30 am in St. Bernard's Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord, MA. Please click here to attend the Mass remotely via church livestream .  Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Concord.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America , or to the Dementia Society Incorporated .

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.