Obituary of Carole P. Garling

Carole P. Garling, 74 April 16, 1942 – April 2, 2017 Carole Payne Garling, age 74, died peacefully on Sunday, April 2, 2017, after succumbing to arterial disease just two weeks before her 75th birthday. When she passed, she was surrounded by the loves of her life – her daughters, her two adult grandsons and her husband of 54 years, Edwin J. Garling, Jr. Though she fought fiercely, she now leaves behind her daughters, Laura Garling Ruckert of North Colonie, NY, Debra Ann Garling of Newburgh, NY, and Audra Ruth Garling (David) Mika of Bristol, CT; and her beloved grandsons, John Frances Ruckert (23) of North Colonie, NY, Eric Anders Ruckert (21) of Fort Meade, MD, and Christopher Joseph (8) and James Edwin (6) Mika of Bristol, CT. She also will miss her nieces, Tracey Tamburo Calo of Rutland, MA, and Michele Tamburo (Mark) Leyden of Bedford, NH, as well as childhood friends Sue (Goodreds) and Ralph Taggart. Born April 16, 1942, in Jersey City, NJ, Carole was the daughter of Fred Payne and Jeanne Conrad Payne and the sister of Merry Ruth (Anthony) Tamburo of Bedford, NH. She was predeceased by both parents and her beloved grandmother, Ruth Conrad, whom she adored and cared for in her home – despite Nana's inexplicable passion for the Mets! Carole was an original Jersey Girl who was happiest when vacationing at the Jersey shore. Carole also enjoyed producing and viewing live theater, gardening and teaching. She graduated with her bachelor's degree from William Paterson College in 1976 and earned her master's degree from Fordham University in 1980. She devoted her life to teaching students an appreciation for reading. She nearly adopted a few of them, and many of her students returned years later to thank her for preparing them for the academic demands of high school. She served as a role model, reading teacher and later a reading specialist at C.J. Hooker Middle School in Goshen, NY, from 1976-2002. When Carole was not teaching, mentoring or parenting, she loved producing shows for the Goshen Drama Company. With a team of skilled artists, actors and friends from the community, she produced six musicals and two plays between 1975-1981. Her daughters can now attribute that impressionable time in their life to their enduring delight of live theater. While theater production was a real gift she gave Goshen, she also contributed actively as a member of the Goshen Jayncees and earned Jayncee of the year in 1975. She also served as deacon and Sunday School teacher for The First Presbyterian Church. She worked tirelessly, too, in support of her husband's community work with the Rotary Club, Goshen Restoration and many other activities with the town and village. She expected a great deal from the world and those around her. Taking command of those things that she could control, she created a garden of evergreen beauty in her family, friends, the home she cherished and the countless students she inspired. Everyone who knew her blossomed from her presence. She was larger than life and influenced most to stretch a little farther to reach the best version of themselves. She taught many the grace of being the better person. Carole's generous, witty spirit and dynamic charm drew people to her, especially the Lakeview Porch Group. She is predeceased by her lifelong friends, MaryAnn Mirro and Sally and Jimmy McGlynn. The family will hold a memorial service at The First Presbyterian Church in Goshen on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 11am. There will also be a private graveside service for immediate family members only at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carole's name are encouraged to be sent to Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation at 707 East Main St., Middletown, NY, 10940; The Goshen Rotary Scholarship Foundation at P.O. Box 563, Goshen, NY, 10924 or to Goshen in Bloom at P.O. Box 861, Goshen, NY, 10924. Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen. To leave a condolence visit www.donovanfunerals.com