Eleanor Stamp Caro

Eleanor Stamp Caro passed away peacefully on Thursday April 13th, 2023, days before her 97th birthday. Elly was surrounded by family sharing stories about the joy and love she brought to their lives when her brilliant and wise spirit left her body for her ‘next great adventure.’ Elly was predeceased by her husband, Frank Caro, and her daughter, Carlotta (Carly) Caro. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Laura Caro Reynolds and Bob Reynolds, and Leigh Ellen Caro-Leverich and Jeff Leverich; her grandchildren Madison Caro-Leverich, Callie Caro-Leverich and husband Jeff Goldmintz, Isabel Caro-Leverich, and William Caro Reynolds; her great granddaughter and namesake Hazel Eleanor Caro Goldmintz; and her many dear nieces and nephews.

Elly was a loving wife, a sensational mother and grandmother with a fiercely close bond to her children and grandchildren, a surrogate mother to many, and a dear friend to all. Elly was also a talented author and artist. She captured the beauty of the world in her paintings, and lessons from her life in her writing.

Elly never missed an opportunity for adventure. After her husband died, Elly traveled to France with her friends for the trip of a lifetime. After falling in love with the village that she visited, Elly decided to start a new chapter of her life. At the age of 70, Elly sold her home in Pensacola and packed up and moved to the South of France. She spent the next decade learning the language, restoring a medieval home and running a B&B. While the locals were initially wary of the new American in town, Elly ultimately received the Medaille D’Honneur from the Mairie de Claviers. Elly welcomed family, along with old friends and new, into her home in France and to share in her adventure. She would later write a book about this period of her life, aptly titled “Still Time.”

Elly’s life had many different chapters, but what remained a constant was her devotion to and love for her family and friends. She welcomed everyone into her home and heart with love and generosity. Elly loved to bring people together, hosting holidays for friends from near and far, for conversation and camaraderie. She was the best listener and storyteller, often offering her sage advice – bits of wisdom that will be treasured by all who received it. Elly had a packed social calendar, and never wanted to miss out on a fun gathering – she was planning and prepping for cocktail parties up until the very last minute. Elly’s joyous spirit and love of life should be a comfort and inspiration to all who knew her.

Elly's reflection about her time in France was a prescient farewell to us all: “I loved all of these wonderful experiences. A seventy-something-year old woman learned that it is never too late to fulfill a dream. I’ve had the best of times. It’s been the magic of a moment in time, but now night is fast approaching and the hours are growing shorter. It’s getting cooler and I’m getting tired. It’s ok to get tired at my age. I’ve been very busy. I’ve just had a wonderful adventure. Night is covering the sky like a velvet cloak. I’ll stay here on my terrace just long enough to watch the stars pop out like pearls scattering from a broken strand, and then I’ll leave. It’s been glorious…but it’s time to go.”

Elly had the time of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date.

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Elly, please consider a contribution to one of the following organizations that champions the causes she believed in and supported: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Planned Parenthood, Sandy Hook Promise, Boys & Girls Club. Please choose the “in memory of” option and include “Elly Caro” in the memo line.