Carole L. Perez

Carole Lorraine Perez was born in Jamaica, Queens on December 23, 1939, raised by parents George and Pearl Jones. She attended The Mary Lewis Academy in Jamaica Estates, after which she promptly entered St. John’s University to receive her degree in nursing. 

A year after her graduation from nursing school, she celebrated by marrying the love of her life, Johnny, on April 16, 1961. They soon came to raise two sons, Kenneth and Scott. The boys childhood began in Jamaica, but moved to Oakdale several years later, where the family would remain to this day.   

Carole dedicated herself to a stressful, yet rewarding field, where she served as the head nurse of ICU at Brunswick Hospital, and assisted in other departments as well. She supported and advocated for all of her patients with love and grace. After decades of hospital work, she shared her love of baking with the town of Oakdale by opening a specialty cake store- Gingerbread Land, which she owned for nine years. Many continued to ask for her beautiful and decadent baked goods for years to come. Carole returned to nursing during the last phase of her career at Boces- here, she tended to adolescents with special needs, all of whom loved and trusted her with their emotional and physical struggles. 

Prior to retirement, Carole established a devotion to St. John Nepomucene Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteer for decades, became a member of the Small Christian Community in 1990, joined the Legion of Mary in 1999, and was installed into the Sisters of St. Joseph in 2001. After retirement, she broadened her involvement with St. John’s- she held presidency of the Legion of Mary for nine years, also created and led the Rosary Makers Association for fifteen years (thousands of rosaries are handmade for the sick both locally and overseas). Carole had a special and unique devotion to the Blessed Mother, and entered these leadership roles to honor her. She shared her passion for the church by becoming a religious instructor for her granddaughter, Stephanie, along with a small class of other students, administering instruction from communion to confirmation. Carole also spent her time volunteering at Maria Regina Skilled Nursing Facility to bring comfort to patients who seldom had connection to the outside world. She graciously brought communion to the homebound, which included local hospitals, Maria Regina, and private homes. 

Carole shared her love of art by drawing and painting beautiful illustrations of the Blessed Mother, as well as restoring statues for members of the church. Her artistry also shined through her handcrafted cakes and personal paintings at home. 

Carole was the epitome of love, nurture, and sacrifice. Until her final day on this earth, she was the matriarch to her family of children, granddaughter, sister, cousins, niece and nephews. Before her medical struggles, she was a devoted caregiver for both her late father and husband. Though she bore many responsibilities, her family and friends were always of utmost importance. She will forever be greatly loved and missed by all those who knew her.  

- Written with eternal love by Stephanie VanSchaick (Perez)- granddaughter 

Visitation:  Wednesday, June 9th  2 - 4:30 p.m. & 7 - 9:30 p.m. at our West Sayville facility, 245 Montauk Hwy. West Sayville.  Wake prayers will be held at 3:30 p.m. with Sr. Phyliis.

Mass of Christian Burial:  Thursday, June 10th at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Nepomucene RC Church, 1140 Locust Avenue Bohemia

Interment to follow in the parish cemetery