What’s a fond memory or story you have about Carole you’d like to share?
Thank you Jeff for putting this page together & allowing for us to leave our memories of your Mom.
I am thrilled that you posted the song Born to The Breed. What you may not know is how that recording you mentioned brought lots of tears to North Shore hospital.
Carole was in a Coma for quite a while, so I wanted something that she loved to be present. Jeff told me what her favorite song was, and thru a friend we managed to get Judy Collins to make the recording for Carole. It played nonstop at her bedside. One day, a nurse said to me “That is a beautiful song. Who is singing.” Carole, still in a Coma, mouthed “JUDY.” WOW – what that did to the nurses & I. Then the next day, her coma ended. And there’s a story there, too. Jeff was visiting her while I was in the waiting room. The nurses were putting a picc line in her, and when they stuck her with a needle, Carole screamed “S**T, F**K, P**S!” Jeff came running into the waiting room & said “Mom’s Back!”
Of course, her coming out of the coma presented a new problem. She was talking, but only in French & Italian. Together. In the same sentence! They were NOT her native tongues, nor did she hardly ever speak those languages. Fortunately, this was on Long Island, so there were lots of Italians around to translate.
What else would you like to say
Jeff’s eulogy captured Carole well, but I’d like to add a few things that show how brilliant she was. Jeff mentioned that she was getting her Master’s in Social Work. What he did not mention was that she was going to Fordham on a scholarship from the American Association of University Women. That scholarship was given to only one person a year, and she was selected among hundreds of applicants. But even before going for the MSW, she was providing support to those who needed it. She was honored by the Alzheimers Foundation for her volunteer work there in forming the first support group for Children of Alzheimers’ sufferers. OH – and guess who set up Paul Simon’s home Computer network – Carole! With no formal training in computers. This was all before that tragic day in June of 1998.
But while that accident took away much, it did not take away her sense of humor. I’d like to relate a counseling session that her rehab facility recorded. Carole was what they called “high functioning” brain injured. I think what they really meant was “recalcitrant.” THey brought in a specialist in dealing with “difficult” TBI patients from FL to do a session with her. All of the staff at the facility attended – she was interviewed in an auditorium. He wanted to explore her Executive Functions, so he asked Carole how she’d make a cup of instant coffee if she had a guest visit her. Her response was “I would never serve instant coffee to a guest.” He asked her again & she remarked how rude it would be to serve a guest Instant – never answering. Later in the session, he pointed out to the staff that she never moved her left hand. She responded to that saying “you want to know why I didn’t use my left hand?” The Dr said “I think I’m afraid to ask.” She answered “Show Me The Money!” Like Jeff said, she loved to quote movies! He put some change on the table & she picked it up with her left hand.
Much Much more – about how when she came into a room, everyone knew she was there, not because she was loud or boisterous, but because she just had that certain charisma that took over a room.
