Carole A. Hackney, 69
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Carole Ann Hackney, 69, 114 Hawthorne Ave. died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at North Adams Regional Hospital.
Born in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4, 1942, daughter of Augustus C. and Mary L. Cocimano Resio, she attended schools there and graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, Md.
Mrs. Hackney was first employed with National Geographic Magazine as a stenographer and secretary and later with a structured settlement company.
She was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Milford, Ohio, where she was a Eucharistic minister and enjoyed making rosaries for others. Her joy was her family and friends and, over the years, all of her dogs: Annie, Ty, Chewie and Tuesday. Her garden was her treasure and a sanctuary for her. She placed name placards by her hostas and grew boundless bushels of petunias, begonias and impatiens.
According to her family, Mrs. Hackney had great wit and could do uncanny impersonations that would have you holding your sides, especially that of Ed Sullivan. Her smile was brilliant, genuine, and contagious and her natural beauty, breathtaking. She loved real-life detective novels, spoonfuls of peanut butter, M&Ms, love songs, family heirlooms and Christmas. She could make a mean chocolate pie. She dreamed of becoming a Rockette and a detective, in her second life.
Mrs. Hackney was born with the spirit of dance. As a teenager, she coaxed resistant family members off the couch to join her in dancing to the music of "American Bandstand" and eventually became a ballroom dance instructor, sharing this joy of dance with many. She inspired people to be better than they thought they could be and she was loyal to the end.
Her warmth was contagious and she had a quiet, gentle and sweet way about her that calmed those around her, said family. She was strong in will and had great courage and grace. Her spirit lives on in those that she touched. She simply lived and danced like no one was watching.
Many people didn't know that she was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly 11 years ago as she never defined herself or confined herself to this diagnosis. She was resilient, patient, and had everlasting hope. She rose above any challenge sent her way and met it with grace and humor. She believed in angels.
"We know that Carole can now be boundless in her dance. She is free to execute a graceful Viennese waltz across the Heavens or teach reluctant angels the pure joy of a spicy rumba or simply learn a new celestial dance for herself."
Her husband, William H. Hackney III, whom she married Aug. 1, 1964, died on May 14, 1998.
She leaves two daughters, Kimberly M. Hackney of Middletown, Ohio, and Leigh G. Hackney of Eugene, Ore.; two brothers, John V. Resio and his wife, Leslie, of Pownal, Vt., and Michael A. Resio and his wife, Carolyn Agostini, of Williamstown; her beloved aunt, Lena "Lele" Reap of Maryland, as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
FUNERAL NOTICE — There will be a private, family celebration of Mrs. Hackney's life.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Breast Health Education and Patient Support Fund at NARH; or The Eileen Barrett Oncology Fund at NARH; or Friends of Mel Foundation; or The Wellness Community of Greater Cincinnati; or the Road to Recovery of the American Cancer Society; or the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.