Carole J. Garritano / Aug. 6, 1942-April 6, 2010

Published 8:44 am Thursday, April 8, 2010

Carole J. Garritano

Carole J. Garritano, 67, of Corwin Street, Dowagiac, died at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Kairos Dwelling hospice, Kalamazoo, following a brief illness.

She was born Aug. 6, 1942, in Chicago to Stanley R. and Dorothy H. (Long) Thompson.

Carole grew up north of Dowagiac, helping with her parents’ business, Hanley Bait Shop, and enjoying the outdoors and fishing. She also enjoyed music, playing the piano and saxophone and as a member of the marching, jazz and pep bands at Dowagiac High School, where she graduated in 1960.

As a young lady, Carole was employed at The Marshall Shop and James Heddon’s Sons rod and reel company.

She then worked in the clinic of Dr. Fred Mathews for more than 30 years, retiring at age 60.

Carole was famous for her cooking, especially Sunday mostaciolli dinners, and for helping with community fundraising and supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s school activities. She also enjoyed playing cards and visiting the casino, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family in the gazebo on their property at Pitcher Lake surrounded by nature.

She married Arnold “Arnie” Garritano on Sept. 16, 1961, in Dowagiac.
They built their home on Corwin Street, and lived there for nearly 50 years.
She is survived by: her husband, Arnie Garritano Sr.; their children, Arnie (Karen) Garritano Jr., of Cincinnati, Annette (Bobby) Forsythe, of Benton Harbor and Lynne (Toby) Laubach, of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Danny, August, James, Austin, Alex, Rachel and Michael; sisters, Marilyn J. Dorgan, of Ledyard, Conn., and Judith M. (John Jr.) Nate, of Sister Lakes.
Mass of Christian Burial for Carole Garritano will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Rd., Dowagiac by the Rev. David C. Adams, of Richland.
Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Contributions in memory of Carole Garritano may be sent to the family home, 26852 Corwin St., Dowagiac, MI 49047, or to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.