With hearts full of gratitude and deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother Carol J. (Brazil) Bolhouse, after a long illness.
Carol resided in Newport, RI and recently Sarasota, FL. She turned 94 this April and was delighted to reach that milestone. She carried it like a badge of honor, and who could blame her. She was born on April 5, 1932, to her parents Edith and William Brazil in Taunton, MA. Carol attended Rogers High School for 2 years and graduated from St. Catherine’s Academy Class of 1950. She married her loving husband, Daniel C. Bolhouse, in 1961. Carol lived a remarkable 94 years filled with love, laughter, and stubborn determination.
Throughout her life she was a devoted mother and wife; as well as being employed at New England Telephone Company, Newport Oil Co., the Registrar’s Office at Salve Regina University, and wrapped her career up with her biggest challenge…working in the Dean’s Office at Rogers High School.
Carol was an avid reader and loved doing needlepoint. Her all-time favorite passion was to go on amazing cruises with her husband, friends, and sometimes all the kids.
When Carol and Dan retired to Sarasota, FL they enjoyed a new phase of their lives. Carol was a long-time board member on her community HOA, many of those years acting as president.
From humble beginnings during the Great Depression, Carol built a life defined by devotion and service to all she met. She survived wars, hard times, good times, and several generations of children and grandchildren trying to explain the latest technology to her.
Carol and Dan enjoyed being with family the most, whether it be at their cabin on the lake in New Hampshire, traveling every summer vacation to faraway places, including two World Fairs, multiple cruises, and enjoying time in the sun at Gooseberry Beach with their family and friends, where they were members. We would all go home and hop in the back of Pop’s truck, only after a stop at the concession stand.
Carol adored all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to spend time with them all, as they filled her heart with joy, words cannot express.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Edith and William Brazil, her devoted husband Daniel C. Bolhouse, her son Peter R. Bolhouse and his wife Cecilia (Pinksaw) Bolhouse, her sister Brenda (Brazil) Slavens, and her brother, William Brazil. We cannot forget her 3 dogs who are patiently waiting to greet her around the corner at the “Rainbow Bridge”.
She is survived by her 3 daughters Karen (Roberts) Cipriani of Newport and Sarasota, FL, Kathy (Bolhouse) Murphy of Middletown and Cheryl (Roberts) Kilroy of Newport and Sarasota, FL. Carol is also survived by her grandchildren, Adam Kilroy of Middletown, Julia Murphy and her partner Johnathan Mann of Verdi, NV, Daniel Murphy of Middletown, and Nicholas Cipriani of Middletown, her great-grandchildren, Carson, Cora, Nolan, Adeline, and Owen, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Though our family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited by all who loved her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.
Carol’s legacy lives on in the love and values she instilled in us. It’s not what she did for herself, it’s what she did for the next generations.
In memory of both Carol & Dan – Calling hours will be held Thursday, May 21st from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St, Newport. Graveside service with Military Honors will be held Friday, May 22nd at 11:00 AM, St. Columba Cemetery, 465 Browns Ln, Middletown. All are invited and welcome to join the family graveside.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol & Dan’s memories to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Ln, Middletown, RI 02842.
May Carol rest in eternal peace on angels’ wings. Forever in our hearts.
