April 22, 1944 – November 18, 2024   

The family of Carol Carusi bid her a loving farewell on November 18, 2024, at the age of 80. 

Carol Ivy Jennings was born on April 22, 1944, in Kamloops, B.C. She was the youngest child of Frances and Stan Jennings who had immigrated to Canada from England years earlier. 

Carol was baby sister to Renee (Spud Marshall), Sylvia (Vic Janicki) and Stan (Karen). Both her sisters were already married when she was born, and they loved taking her out so often that everyone thought she was their baby girl! 

Carol, Stan and her parents lived on Douglas Street, and she went to Lloyd, George Elementary and Kam High. She was an excellent student and a voracious reader, a hobby she embraced while being bedridden twice with rheumatic fever. 

One day at the movies with a girlfriend, she met a handsome Italian boy named Mario Carusi. With his accent, she couldn’t understand much of what he said, but she said he had beautiful eyes! Thus began their young love story. Carol and Mario were married on August 20, 1960, and were married for 64 years. 

They welcomed Victor Stanley in 1961, Angela Frances in 1962, became mom and dad to Charlie in 1967 and had the baby of the family Dina Ester in 1971. 

They also provided a caring home for children as they were foster parents too. 

Carol became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1973. She loved Jehovah with her whole heart, and she was dedicated and loyal to her faith. She loved sharing her Bible-based hope for the future with others. She made many lifelong friends along the way and her congregation was like family to her. 

Mom was very artistic and an excellent painter. She loved reading, music and had a good sense of humour. She loved flower gardening and knew all the plant names. She enjoyed adding new and beautiful flowers to her gorgeous flowerbeds and kept a journal of her gardens from year to year. She loved animals and especially her pet dogs and feeding and caring for the birds. 

Mom was thoughtful and kind, forgiving, generous and hospitable. She welcomed everyone into her home with a big smile and open arms. 

Carol was a loyal and loving wife and loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly. She was close to her parents, sisters, and brother (and their families) and losing them over the years was very hard on her. Many of her beloved family members and friends have passed away over the years. Having her extended Italian family, Costanza, Frances, Tony, and their families helped complete her life and their devotion to each other over all these years is to be cherished. Sadly, Alzheimer’s robbed us all of mom’s last years, but her gentle soul always shone through. 

The staff at The Hamlets where mom resided the last two years spoke very fondly of her. 

Carol’s loving family is left to cherish her memory. 

She leaves behind her husband Mario, son Victor (Donna) Carusi and their children Adam Carusi, Megan (James) Byrd and little JJ; son Charlie (Cindy) Carusi and blended family Coty, Kyle (Jen) Carusi their children Jayce and Avril; Sarah Carusi; Krystal (Ryan) Weeks, Kaylee (Trent) Gillespie and baby Addison; daughter Angela (Jeff) Rochester, Ashley (Jared) Methot and their girls Everdeen and Rosalie; Cole (Corrina) Stutt and little Hudson; daughter Dina (Shawn) Bodger and their children Chase and Hannah. 

Carol will be dearly missed by her sisters-in-law Costanza Ramunno, Frances (Mario) Ramunno and brother- in-law Tony (Debra) Carusi and many nieces, nephews, family and friends who loved her very much. 

A Memorial Service for Carol will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 270 Leigh Rd., Kamloops, B.C. 

Donations in Carol’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice. 

The family would like to thank the caring staff at The Hamlets, Dr. Cribb, Dr. Wiltshire, Missaugh at Manshadi Pharmacy, Laney, Interior Health, Mom’s neighbors and all the brothers and sisters that helped support Mom these last years. 

Goodbye Mom, we’ll see you in Paradise! 

You may offer a message of condolence at Cypress Funeral and Cremation Services for the Carusi family. 

• Date : 2024-11-18
• Location : Kamloops