Carol J. Beaudin, 68
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Carol Joyce "Cookie" Beaudin, 68, or Rocky Mount, N.C., formerly of North Adams, died peacefully on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at her home with her loving husband, Michael W. Beaudin, by her side following her 12-month courageous battle with cancer.
Born March 30, 1947, in Marietta, Ga., the daughter of Richard F. and Alice M. Bedard Mazinski, when she was a child, her family moved to North Adams, where she attended local schools. A 1966 graduate of Drury High School, she was co-captain of the varsity cheerleaders and was active in all school activities. She attended Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield and completed her education at Charles H. McCann Technical School, earning her licensed practical nursing degree.
Committed to her nursing career, Mrs. Beaudin was employed at the former North Adams Regional Hospital and also worked in hospitals in Boston and Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1990, she and her husband relocated to Plattsburgh, N.Y., where she earned her degree from Our Lady of Victory Secretarial School and worked in the medical office of Dr. David Anderson.
In 1968, she married her sweetheart and best friend, Michael, also of North Adams. During their 46 years of marriage, they raised a family consisting of three loving children and eight wonderful grandchildren.
She devoted herself to the care of her mother, enjoying Saturday morning yard sales and breakfast at the diner. She also nurtured her love for gardening as a volunteer with the Kent-Delord House Museum Garden Club.
In 2008, she and her husband retired to Rocky Mount, which provided a climate for them to enjoy their passions for gardening and golf. She enjoyed volunteering with the Rocky Mount Garden Club, introducing the annual "Garden of Your Dreams" fundraiser. Having an interest in becoming a Master Gardener, she immersed herself into the Nash County Master Gardener Volunteer Association for which she was a steward in the ongoing Pollinator Garden Project. She cultivated beautiful gardens at home and many friendships within the gardening community.
Gardening, spending time with family and friends, and spending time at the beach collecting thousands of seashells brought her the most joy and tranquility. She also loved to dance and music warmed her soul.
Besides her beloved husband, she leaves her son, Scott Beaudin and his wife, Michelle, of Richmond, Va.; two daughters, Cindy Beaudin Campopiano and her husband, Kevin, also of Richmond and Jill Beaudin Poveda and her husband, Michael, of Nyack, N.Y.; a brother, Richard E. Mazinski and his wife, Kris, of Westfield; eight grandchildren, Alex and Emily Beaudin, Sophie and Owen Campopiano and Tony, Billy, Christina and Olivia Poveda; an numerous loving relatives and friends. The family will always remember her love for her three cats Elsie, Lucy and Lizzie.
Mrs. Beaudin always loved this anonymous quote, "Every moment of every day; cherish life, laughter, people, sunrises and sunsets, little caterpillars, funny children; please guys – don't wait until you or your loved ones get a life threatening illness to fully embrace how beautiful life is, and that which stresses you is, in all likelihood, the 'small' stuff."
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mrs. Beaudin will be celebrated Tuesday, May 26, at 9 a.m. from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at will be Monday, Mary 25, from 4 to 7 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West main St., North Adams. Donations in her memory can be made to Friends of Hospice of Nash General, the American Cancer Society or the SPCA (no-kill shelter), through the funeral home.
She had expressed her deep appreciation to Dr. John Huffman and his staff as well as her overall health-care support team, and her relatives and friends who have provided endless support, prayers and compassion throughout her fight.
Carol and Michael would also like to offer a special thank you to Friends of Hospice of Nash General for their comfort, love and support as they helped guide Carol through her final journey.