Carol A. Minkus of New Hampton, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 28, 2020, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
Carol was born in Goshen on Dec. 11, 1938, to parents Frank and Mildred (Warren) Gray. Carol is the first born of three siblings: brothers Frank and Jerry and sister Sandra Weston, who predeceased her.
Carol graduated from Goshen High School then attended Vassar Brothers Hospital, School of Nursing in Poughkeepsie, graduating in 1959 and began a successful career as a registered nurse.
While working at Vassar Brothers Hospital, Carol met and cared for veteran Richard (Dick) Minkus Sr. The two married on Feb. 12, 1960.
Carol worked at Horton Memorial Hospital in the pediatric unit for many years until her retirement.
Carol was known and respected for her hard work, compassion and dedication to her family and her patients. She was the loving and caring mother to Richard (Ricky) and Lori. She will forever be remembered as a self-less and loving mom.
After retirement Carol and Dick spent their winters in Sebastian Inlet, Florida, at Long Point Park & Campground.
Carol’s greatest joy was being a grandmother to Joe, Kim, Tom, Matt and Erin. She enjoyed watching and participating in their various activities.
In 2011, she was delighted to become a first-time great grandmother to Livia Dembeck, followed by four more great grandchildren, all of whom she loved and touched deeply.
Carol was a member of the Goshen United Methodist Church. She was very involved in various church activities, such as Meals on Wheels and working at the rummage sales. She devoted countless hours to these many volunteer opportunities.
In her free time Carol was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles, sewing and baking.
Carol is now peacefully reunited with her parents and sister in their heavenly home forever with the Lord.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Richard Minkus Sr., son Richard Minkus Jr. (Geri) of New Hampton and daughter Lori (David) Gardner of Poestenkill; grandchildren Joseph Minkus of Slate Hill, Kimberly (Dylan) Dembeck of Warwick, Thomas (Brittany) Minkus of New Hampton, Matthew (Stephanie) Gardner of Poestenkill and Erin (Robert) Fish of East Greenbush; great-grandchildren: Livia, Ethan and Sawyer Dembeck and Nicholas and Addison Gardner. She is also survived by her brothers Frank (Mary) Gray of Monroe and Jerry (Nancy) Gray of Camden, S.C., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Carol’s legacy will continue to live on by giving the ultimate gift, to Mount Sinai Hospital in the Bronx for their “The Gift of Knowledge” program, for Alzheimer’s and brain research.
Carol will be missed by her family, friends, many patients and co-workers who are blessed to have known her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s team “Knocking out Alzheimer’s” of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York Chapter located at 4 Pinewest Plaza Suite 405, Albany NY 12205.
The family would like to especially thank the caring staff on Glenmere 2 at Valley View Center, Dolly Weslowski and Lou Poloniak, for their unwavering friendship with Carol and Dick through the many years as well as Dick’s sister, Lorraine Sisco.
Finally, a special thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern NY who worked tirelessly to locate an anatomical gift program during the current health crisis.
Due to the COVID-19 virus, a celebration of Carol’s life will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements were made by T.S. Purta Funeral Home. To send a condolence, go to www.purtafuneralhome.com.