Carol Joan Viglielmo, 91, a third generation resident of Woodstock, New York passed away on Sunday, January 21, at the Northern Dutchess Hospital. Born May 7, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Helen J. Fletcher (Siegel). Carol was married to her husband, her former teacher, and love of her life Jules Viglielmo for 62 years. She is survived by her three children: Dr. Jeffrey Viglielmo and his wife, Dr. Maureen Viglielmo of Woodstock, Pamela Viglielmo and her husband, James Fisher of Southport, CT and Melissa Viglielmo of Woodstock. She is also survived by her four much loved and appreciated grandchildren (who referred to her as Skimère); Kealey and Kaitlana Viglielmo and Gregory and Danielle Fisher, with whom she enjoyed many an afternoon helping with homework, sharing blini and caviar at the kitchen counter and tutoring them in ways that only a savvy New York gal could. She also leaves behind her two beloved siamese cats Lola and Roxy.
Carol was raised in New York City and was brought to Woodstock as an infant to her grandparent’s summer home. She continued to come to Woodstock throughout her youth and subsequently met and eloped with her husband who was teaching summer classes at Kingston High School. The close proximity of the high school to the Kingston Bus Depot allowed her to take a summer class during the scheduled bus layover to NYC – which is where they met
After they were married they settled in Woodstock in 1957 and she began working in a nursery school where she recognized her love of teaching. She enrolled at SUNY New Paltz and completed her undergraduate degree and began working on her Master’s degree while raising her family. She went back to teaching full time at Woodstock Elementary School for over 20 years, as well as served for a period as Vice Principal. She was proud of her legacy and impact on the students she had in class over the years and others whose lives she influenced.
Prior to having children she performed in the summer stock theater of the Woodstock Foundation at the Woodstock Playhouse with her husband. For many years, she and her dearest friend Sioux Goffredi ran the Great Expectations Library Fair raffle to raise funds for the Woodstock Library. She was a founding member in the 1950’s of the Trail Sweeper Ski Club and volunteered as a member of the National Ski Patrol at the Catskill Ski Center and Cortina Valley for more than 20 years. This enabled her to pursue her love of skiing, while safely keeping an eye on the kids as they skied the slopes. She continued to play tennis and ski with her family and friends into her 90’s.
As her family grew up she created a home that was welcoming to the many teenage friends who were seeking somewhere else to go besides home. She made everyone feel welcome, fed them a meal and would lend an ear, offer up support, admonish when necessary and help round out the beer pong team when required.
In addition to Carol’s other interests, she enjoyed attending music venues in the Woodstock area, going to her personal trainer, tending to her gardens, walks in the woods surrounding her beautiful home and a good cocktail party. Annual summer trips to Martha’s Vineyard with the whole family had her happiest with morning explorations on the beaches when she had her beloved grandchildren all to herself.
Once retired, Carol continued her service in the community by working at the Black Acre Tennis and Woodstock Tennis Clubs, cleaning up the roadside as part of New York State’s Adopt a Highway Program and volunteering at Meals On Wheels. Perhaps most importantly, Carol set the example of how to live a rich, full and active life into her 90’s, surrounded by people who loved her, with few regrets and even fewer reservations.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home Inc., corner of John and Lafayette Sts. A celebration of her life will be held on March 2, 2024, venue to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s name to the Ulster County SPCA, Woodstock Rescue Squad or the Woodstock Fire Department. Further obituary information and expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com
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