Maria Piermarini Carpenter

Mary was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, on September 24, 1925, the third of the nine children of Ester G. and Venerina (Casassa) Piermarini. Mary spent her childhood in Leominster, attended Leominster High School, and then enrolled at Boston University, where she received a B.A. degree in Romance Languages. During her college years she worked as a child caregiver to families in Cambridge. Following graduation she taught French and English in the Leominster and Acton, Massachusetts school systems, with the devoted admiration of many a student. After several years in secondary education, she wished to broaden her horizons, and served as a librarian at Boston University. There she met a graduate student, William B. (Bill) Carpenter, whom she married on May 9, 1951. The couple then moved to New York, where she worked for Prudential-Bache Securities until the birth of her first child in the summer of 1952. Starting a family prompted a relocation to Mobile, Alabama, Bill’s family home. Mary became a consummate Mobilian, loving the outdoors, golfing, fishing, playing tennis, and thoroughly enjoying Mardi Gras balls. Mary lived life to its fullest. She was a wonderful cook and had a special talent for blending the cuisines of her experiences, particularly an Italian/Gulf Coast Creole mix that her family members relished. She was committed to self-sufficiency, a favorite quote being “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” She resolutely avoided burdening anyone, yet always treated those she encountered with the greatest of respect and grace. Her interactions with people of so many diverse backgrounds provided her with a rare depth in understanding of human nature, perhaps the basis of her strong sense of intuition. Her deepest attention and devotion were directed to her family -- her support of both her immediate and extended family was evident to anyone that knew her. She was exceptionally proud of her Italian heritage, and loved to travel to the ancestral homes of her parents. Her graciousness and concern for others set an example that her survivors will long remember.

Mary was pre-deceased by her husband and five of her siblings. She is survived by two sisters, Esther Koehler (Santa Barbara, California) and Eugenia Willis (Fountain Hills, Arizona); a brother, Gasper (Elfriede) Piermarini (McLean, Virginia); two sons, Thomas (Caren) (Orange, Connecticut) and Jonathan (Alabaster, Alabama) Carpenter. Other extended family include two nieces, Shamim Sisson (James Cooper) (Charlottesville, Virginia) and Suzanne Burroughs (Wade) (Milton, Florida); three grandchildren, Nolan (Laura) (Huntsville, Alabama), Graham (Elise) (Discovery Bay, California), and Matthew (Jennifer) (Brooklyn, New York); and numerous other nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 10:30 AM, in the Chapel at the Arbors, St. Martins-in-the-Pines, 4949 Montevallo Road, Birmingham, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.