Barbara Caruso

Mom was born in Norwich, Connecticut to Marion Larsen O'Neil and Patrick Witter O'Neil. She walked to school alongside her brothers and sisters [Skipper O'Neil (Rae); Tommy O'Neil (Shirley); Patricia Clabby (pre-deceased 1995); Marion "Sis" O'Neil (pre-deceased 2018)], cutting through the woods near Uncas Leap at Yantac Falls on the way to Norwich Free Academy. She went on to nursing school at William W. Backus Hospital. She received her nursing degree and after graduation, along with a few classmates, drove across the country to California, widening her sense of adventure. Returning to Connecticut she accepted a job at Backus Hospital as an RN. Soon after, mom attended a wedding and met our dad. James Vincent Caruso, a skinny, street-wise, Italian kid from Union City, New Jersey, home on leave from the Navy. He took her to a Red Sox game at Fenway for their first date, swam often at Misquamicut Beach, and taught her (what came to be one of her passions) the game of pinochle. Against the advice of Grandma O'Neil they were married on August 31, 1957. Today, they have been married for 64 years, inspiring and an exemplary role model for our entire family. Now mom is playing pinochle with her mother and father, our Aunt Patty, Aunt Sis and our Nana (Helen Byrne Caruso), who gave us all our love of cards. Mom and dad traveled to the great cities of Norwalk CT, Lynn MA, Elgin, IL and Pittsburgh, PA to plant the Caruso family tree and have "us kids": James Vincent Caruso, Jr (b. January 22, 1959 - d.January 24, 1959); Michael Joseph Caruso (Emie) of Woodstock, GA; David James Caruso (Bonnie) of Charleston, SC; Cathleen Rettig (Frank) of Arlington Heights, IL; Jeffrey John Caruso (Alicia) of Senoia, GA; Beth Caruso Sanchez (Steve) of Missouri City, TX; and Jennifer Lee Caruso of Woodstock, GA. The branches of our family tree extend to 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mom enjoyed fresh snow in the winter, the smell of spring's flowers, the brilliant reds and yellows of autumn's trees and her favorite, a summer afternoon thunderstorm witnessed from a porch on the beach. Growing up as a young child in the late stages of the Great Depression, mom knew the value of an education, how to " be efficient", and taught us to always do the right thing regardless of the sacrifice for us. Mom worked nights and dad worked days, so her efficiency was paramount, especially when it came to feeding her hungry children. The evolution of food that was boxed, bagged or canned was ideal for her schedule. We shared many laughs over Barbara being known as the box, bag or can queen. We are quite certain none of us will ever forget the taste of brown bread in a can. But food was always on the table and there was never a stranger who walked through the front door. Mom had a gift to put people at ease and make them feel warm and welcomed, as if they were life-long friends (wink, wink, Mrs. Pat Bowers). She is also blessed with the gift of humor. Mom enjoyed a dark Irish sense of humor and could take almost any situation and find something funny about it just to lighten the mood or put you at ease. She loved to send cards for all holidays and always celebrated your birthday or special occasion with a card. She never forgot and never missed a birthday. During the peak of the pandemic, she was unable to restock her card inventory, so she would use what she had on hand. Once she sent a "Happy Thanksgiving" card with "Thanksgiving" crossed out and "Birthday" hand-written in. But you received the card and it would bring a smile to your heart. That's who mom was, completely unselfish, completely giving of herself, 100% unconditionally loving. We love you mom. "We'll see ya when we see ya". The funeral mass is Monday, July 12, 2021 at 11:00am at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Sharpsburg GA with Father Terry Crone officiating. Donations to Sacred Journey Hospice www.sacredjourneyhospice.com are requested in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

Barbara Caruso

November 7, 1933 - July 6, 2021