Carroll Stein

Carroll Stein (nee Pendergast) was called home to our Lord on December 4, 2024. One of six children born to Clotilde and John Pendergast of New York, NY, Carroll married the love of her life, the late William (Bill) Stein, in 1954, and together they shared the next 67 beautiful years together. Their blessed union produced five daughters, ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and many four-legged loved ones.

One of Carroll’s most distinguishing traits was her deep faith in God. A life-long Roman Catholic, she served as the Head Coordinator for the Eucharistic Minister Corp at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians (Marian Shrine) in Stony Point, NY, as well as a volunteer in their gift shop. Carroll also served as a Eucharistic Minister and a religious education teacher at St. Mary’s Church in Haverstraw, NY. For Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Tappan, NY, Carroll taught religious education. At St. Augustine’s Church in New City, NY, Carroll served as a substitute teacher while her daughters were enrolled there. For many years, Carroll found great joy in volunteering at Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital in West Haverstraw, NY, working with the severely disabled. Carroll’s true peace came in the celebration of the Eucharist with her daily prayer, “Jesus, I trust in You.” She often noted that she found tremendous comfort just from being present on the grounds of the Marian Shrine, and that she felt grateful and blessed to have experienced all of the wonderful friendships with the clergy and community of believers whom she met there.

Carroll worked as the executive assistant to the president of a cement company in Manhattan, as the special executive assistant to the Dean of Students at Manhattan University in Riverdale, and finally as the office director at Stein Engineering, LLC. Her most prized roles, though, were those centered on her family. Possessing great beauty, poise, empathy, and insight, over her lifetime Carroll came to be an exemplary wife, loving mother, devoted grandmother, and affectionate great grandmother. Whenever there was a celebration, Carroll always wanted so much to be a part of it, reveling in her friends’ and family’s many personal and professional achievements. She was always ready to help those in need, and would often sit and talk with shopworkers, tradesmen, and other hardworking people, radiating warmth and compassion towards her vast, diverse circle of friends. Carroll especially treasured every moment with her loved ones, which was endlessly evident in her compassion, support, and unconditional love.

Many knew of Carroll’s musical gifts. She was an accomplished pianist with an extraordinary ear who could play any song on the piano after hearing it only once. She transposed music effortlessly. Carroll also studied dance seriously from an early age. That training would lay the foundation for many happy years of ballroom dancing with her favorite partner, her husband Bill.

Carroll is survived by her five daughters, Carroll (and Paul) Carris of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, Eileen (and Harold) Peterson of Stony Point, NY, Mary (and Steve) Cohen of Hunter, NY, Patricia Stein of Pound Ridge, NY, and Linda Stein of New City, NY. Carroll is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Marie, Margaret, Colleen, Monica, Cathleen, Ben, Michael, Mark, Matthew, and Max, and her eight great grandchildren, Anderson, Colette, Brayden, Daniel, Sophie, Sydney, Layla, and Aiden William. Carroll’s zest for life and keen sense of humor enabled her to live to the beautiful age of 92. May the brilliance of her light shine always in our hearts.

Visitation Monday, December 9th from 2 – 4pm and 6 – 8pm at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, New City, NY.

Funeral Liturgy, December 10th, at 10am at the Marian Shrine, 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY. Internment following at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marian Shrine, 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980 in Carroll Stein’s name, and would be much appreciated.