Carole R. Riccardi

Born Carole Camerano in Brooklyn, she moved with her family at age 16 to East Northport, L.I. She relocated to Astoria, Queens, several years later, then to Westerleigh in 1961 before settling in Brick in 1990.

Mrs. Riccardi was a graduate of Northport High School.

She worked as a cashier at an A&P supermarket in Northport for several years before starting a family.

While living on Staten Island, Mrs. Riccardi worked for 10 years as a crossing guard with the North Shore's 120th Precinct.

However, she always wanted to be a nurse, and at age 47, Mrs. Riccardi pursued that dream. She began taking classes at St. Vincent's School of Nursing, West Brighton, and completed her course work at the former Staten Island Community College, obtaining a diploma in registered nursing.

Her goal was to care for the elderly, and she worked for 10 years at the Laurelton Village Acute Care Nursing Facility in Brick. She moved on to the Harrogate Acute Care Nursing Home in Lakewood, N.J., where she was for three years before working per diem. She retired in 2004.

While on Staten Island, Mrs. Riccardi was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton. She was vice president of the parish's Mothers Guild; a member of the Women's Auxiliary for Boy Scout Troop 50, and also taught CCD to second-graders for Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh.

Mrs. Riccardi enjoyed baking, crocheting and camping with her family. She also volunteered with the Toms River (N.J.) Animal Facility.

"She loved doting on her grandchildren," said her son, Robert.

Mrs. Riccardi's son, Peter Jr., died in 1996.

Surviving, along with her son, Robert, are her husband of 54 years, Peter D. Riccardi; her son Christopher; her daughter, Donna Riccardi; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, West Brighton. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.