Obituary of Carol Ann Vitello

Carol Ann Vitello, 82, of Niskayuna, passed away peacefully on Sunday May 26, 2024 after a short illness. A lifelong resident of the area, Carol was born August 22, 1941 and was the only daughter of Joseph and Cecilia (Szuba) Mack. She graduated from St Joseph's Catholic High School and went on to earn her RN degree from Ellis Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as an Emergency Room nurse for several years before pausing her career to raise a family. Carol met the love of her life, Donald Vitello, just before high school graduation and they were soon inseparable. They married on April 26, 1964 and enjoyed 56 years of adventures together. Since Don suffered from seasickness and Carol would not fly, they travelled nearly all of the contiguous US states by car. Carol was a "people person" and enjoyed meeting people from different regions of the country and talking to them about their lives. She loved all of the places they visited, but none of them was as special to Carol as the ocean in Wildwood, NJ. She loved dolphin watching, sunbathing and long walks on the beach. After her daughters were grown, she worked in several Hallmark stores, including Kd Hallmark in Crossgates Mall, and it was here that she discovered her artistic side, creating beautiful retail displays, orders for invitations and using her kind but meticulous ways to train other employees. She made many friends there. Carol's eye for color shone in her beautiful flower garden and the landscaping she did with her husband around their home. She loved her "dirt therapy", spending countless hours in the garden, giving every flower and plant, her attention. She also loved Christmas as giving gifts was her love language. Visiting her festively decorated home during the holidays was like going to Santa's workshop. She also enjoyed late night dinner dates with her husband, drives in the car and their pontoon boat on the Mohawk River. Carol was predeceased by her husband, Don, in 2020 and our family is comforted by the belief that she is once again enjoying some long drives with him. She leaves behind daughters Diane Vitello Morisseau, Debra McCloskey Hillier (Joe) and grandchildren Amanda Morisseau, Nicholas McCloskey and Christopher Hillier as well as her sister- in -law Carol Vitello, also of Niskayuna and several cousins. Friends are invited to calling hours Thursday May 30 from 5 to 7 pm at Daly Funeral Home, McClellan St., in Schenectady. Burial will be Friday May 31, commencing at Daly Funeral Home at 1:30 pm, then proceeding to St. Anthony's Cemetery, Glenville, NY. Carol's family would like express gratitude to her neighbors and the home care workers who became friends and part of the family; while helping Carol enjoy staying in her home as long as possible, as well as the kind staff at Teresian House.