Carol M. Mathews

Carol Garofalo Mathews, 86, of Westerly, RI died of cancer at Westerly Hospital, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. She was born December 25, 1934 in Norwalk, CT where she grew up and attended Sacred Heart Academy. She attended Boston University for two years, then returned to Norwalk to manage her father’s insurance company. She attended the White Plains branch of NYU for advanced night classes, and ultimately sold and taught insurance. She was president of the Insurance Women of Southern Connecticut.
In 1965, Carol married and moved to Wethersfield, CT, where she had four stepchildren, and then three of her own. She returned to the insurance business and retired at age 65 and began volunteering at the Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital. At 70, she followed her lifelong dream to live by the ocean and bought her house in Westerly.
Carol volunteered for 16 years at Westerly Hospital and joined the Yankee Trailers kayaking and hiking club. She was a member of the Westerly Land Trust, and was very involved with her church, St. Clare’s with Helping Hands. She has made many very dear friends through all her work and activities.
Carol’s happiest moments were spending time with her grandchildren and family.
Carol is predeceased by her parents Marion and William N. Garofalo, her brother William N. Garofalo Jr. and her stepson, James R. Mathews, Jr. She leaves behind a sister, Shirley Swanson of Glastonbury, CT. She also leaves behind her children, Michael Mathews and his wife Margie of West Hartford, CT, John Mathews of Santa Monica, CA and Laura Mathews of Westerly, RI. She also leaves behind a beloved daughter-in-law, Sue Mathews of Santa Monica, CA, her stepchildren, Barbara Murphy and her husband Tom, Patricia Gibbons, and Kevin Mathews and his wife Elin.
She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Michael L. Mathews, Rachel Mathews, Deegan Mathews, and Hadley Mathews, as well as all her step-grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, July 25th at Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St. Westerly, RI. From 4-6 PM
A funeral mass will be held on Monday, July 26th at St. Clare Church, 4 St. Clares Way, Westerly, RI at 10 AM. Burial will follow at River Bend Cemetery, Westerly, RI.
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