
Carolyn A. Molinaro
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Carolyn A. (Chwalek) Molinaro, 77, of Bristol, loving wife of the late Michael F. Molinaro, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, from heart failure. She was born on November 25, 1946, in Putnam, CT, to the late John and Bertha (Modliszewski) Chwalek. She was predeceased by two brothers, John and Chester Chwalek, and is survived by her beloved daughters, Beth Palladino of Southington and Kim Molinaro and her husband, Chris Strange, of West Hartford; her grandchildren, Benjamin, Jessica, Sophia and Sam; her devoted partner, Phil Frechette; six nieces and nephews; and several other dear family members and friends.
Carolyn spent her early years in Thompson, CT; was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School and Becker Jr. College; raised her family in Rockfall, CT; and worked as the Student Accounts' University Cashier at Wesleyan University for 25 years. Carolyn was incredibly sweet, loving, generous and devoted to her family. She especially loved her grandchildren and delighted in their presence. She was the best grandma ever and spent hours playing with them; telling them stories; and taking them on day trips to bumper boats, go-carts, playgrounds and more. Carolyn enjoyed reading, sewing, politics and biking; volunteered as an ESL instructor; and regularly donated to children's charities which held a special place in her heart.
A huge heartfelt thank you to several special people who helped care for her (and her family) over the last several months: the nurses and staff at Middlewoods of Farmington; the overnight aides at Home Helpers of Farmington Valley; and the nurses and staff members at Hartford Hospital, including those on 10 North and CB2, especially the angels on the hospice team.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, November 23 at noon at Rockledge Grill, 289 S. Main St., West Hartford. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers and in honor of her granddaughter, Jessica, donations may be made to Arthritis Research at arthritis.org or 1355 Peachtree St., Ste. 600, Atlanta, GA 30309; please indicate it's an in memorial gift that should be directed to Juvenile Arthritis. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.