Carol Lucille Kercado

December 12, 1951 ~ February 26, 2025

Carol Kercado passed away peacefully on February 26, 2025.

She was born on December 12, 1951, to Lawrence Contessa and Mafalda Cappetti.

Carol married Hector Kercado on September 17, 1982 and they moved to New Windsor in 1984. Extraordinary love and nonstop laughter were the cornerstones of their marriage, and they generously extended themselves to family, friends, and strangers in need. They were proud godparents to several nieces and nephews and regularly co-hosted full-day holiday celebrations. They made Puerto Rico their getaway vacation spot, but were just as content barbecuing in their backyard, hanging out with their "roommate" Mafalda, and listening to a Yankees game on in the background. Although they had the smallest possible kitchen table imaginable, it somehow had capacity for excessive amounts of advice, jokes, history lessons, card games, gossip, pastry and coffee mugs.

Carol started her early career at Union Carbide. After a few years in New Windsor, Carol served the community as a School Aide in the Newburgh School District. She was well-known by both students and colleagues for her kindness and compassion for the children and her ability to add levity and her unique character to the school environment. Although not a teacher by profession, Carol taught everyone the importance of sending thank you cards, that not cooking dinner was always the better option, and how to find humor in even the most difficult situations. Carol loved pop music and would spontaneously burst into the most fitting songs for the moment; I Will Survive when you broke up with your boyfriend, When Doves Cry when bantering with Mafalda, and Just the Way You Are which referred to Hector as well as changing the color of your hair.

Hector preceded Carol in death in 2011. She is also preceded by her sister Rose, her sister Marie, and her brother Michael.

Carol is survived by her sisters Camille and Larraine, her sister-in-law Maryann, and her dearest friend, Kathleen. She is also survived by her godchildren, beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and a large extended family. She also leaves behind her faithful dog, Louie. Her loss is also mourned by a tremendous collection of lifelong friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home on Sunday, March 2 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church on Monday, March 3 at 10 AM followed by burial at St. Raymond Cemetery, Bronx.

To honor Carol's memory, please consider a donation in lieu of flowers to the following organizations:

Hudson Valley SPCA ~ 940 Little Britain Road, New Windsor, NY 12553

Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties ~ 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550