Carole J. Garritano, 67 / Aug. 6, 1942 – April 6, 2010

Published 8:58 am Thursday, April 8, 2010

Carole J. Garritano, 67

Carole J. Garritano, 67, of Corwin Street, Dowagiac died at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the Kairos Dwelling hospice in Kalamazoo following a brief illness.

She was born Aug. 6, 1942 in Chicago to Stanley R. and Dorothy H. (Long) Thompson. Carol grew up north of Dowagiac, helping with her parents’ business, Hanley Bait Shop, and enjoying the outdoors and fishing. She also enjoyed music, playing the piano and saxophone and as a member of the marching, jazz and pep bands at Dowagiac High School, where she graduated in 1960.

As a young lady, Carole was employed at Marshall Shop and Heddon Rod and Reel Co. She then worked in the clinic of Dr. Fred Mathews for more than 30 years, retired at age 60.

Carole was famous for her cooking, especially Sunday mostacolli dinners, and for helping with community fundraising and supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s school activities. She also enjoyed playing cards and visiting the casino, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family in the gazebo on their property at Pitcher Lake surrounded by nature.

She married Arnold “Arnie” Garritano on Sept. 16, 1961 in Dowagiac. They built their home on Corwin Street, and lived there for nearly 50 years.

She is survived by her husband, Arnie Garritano Sr.; their children, Arnie (Karen) Garritano Jr., of Cincinnati, Annette (Bobby) Forsythe, of Benton Harbor and Lynne (Toby) Laubach, of Eau Claire, Mich.; grandchildren, Danny, August, James, Austin, Alex, Rachel and Michael; sisters, Marilyn J. Dorgan, of Ledyard, Conn. and Judith M. (John Jr.) Nate, of Sister Lakes, Mich.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Carole Garritano will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Rd., Dowagiac by the Rev. David C. Adams, of Richland, Mich. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Carole Garritano may be sent to the family home, 26852 Corwin St., Dowagiac, MI 49047, or to Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048.