(LARSEN), a beloved woman of the Catholic faith, mother and grandmother, died peacefully on December 13, 2015, surrounded by her family. Those who knew Carol also knew she had a story to tell, which began over a hundred years ago. William P. Larsen, Carol's father, was born in 1898. During World War 1 he served in the Army as a Cavalier. While serving his country, he married a woman, Alice, who bore him two children, Mary Larsen in 1922, and William (Bill) Larsen in 1924. Shortly after, however, William tragically lost his wife Alice. He then, though not an uncommon act of the times, married Alice's sister, Agnes. It was not much later that Agnes delivered a special Christmas gift to her husband William, another daughter, on Sunday, December 24, 1933, to be affectionately named Carol. Growing up in Brooklyn during a time of world unrest, Carol still had time to enjoy her favorite baseball team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1940, her father, now an officer in the US Navy, entered World War II as a Naval Lieutenant Commander. Carol's brother, Bill, nine years older, also entered the war as a Line Officer in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater and in China until 1946. There is a photograph of William and Bill sitting together discussing the events of the times. Since Carol's ambition was always to help people, after high school she decided to follow in the footsteps of her sister Mary and become a nurse. Upon graduation from the nursing program at Saint Vincent's Hospital in New York, Carol would spend the next forty years of her life caring for the wellbeing of others as a Registered Nurse. While a nurse in New York, she met a doctor, Meade Justin Luby, and on May 16 of 1955, they were married. Between 1956 and 1965, Carol had five children, including Christopher John Luby (sp. Donna), Frances Meade (Luby) Heaston (sp. John), Timothy Larsen Luby (sp. Cassie), Elizabeth Mary (Luby) DeFranco (sp. Kenny), and Anastasia McCormick Luby (Freymann – sp. Vance). From 1989 through 1994, Carol would become the loving grandmother of six grandchildren, Coleen, Jacqui, Victoria, Carolyn, Alexandra and Michael. Carol was always a self-directed strong and independent woman. She lived in many places including New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Florida, and Rhode Island. She enjoyed discussing politics, religion, education, and the events of a moment. Her heart was always to help those in need, and she spent the majority of her nursing career working in the OB/GYN department for the State of Connecticut at the Farmington Medical Center. She loved to travel, and not too many years ago visited Rome and toured Saint Peter's Square. She enjoyed the peacefulness of Squam Lake in the summer and sounds of nature or the waves of the ocean near her home in Groton, Connecticut. Her life was devoted to the Catholic faith and she developed many life-long and endearing relationships including her close friend, Father Lynch. She loved the music of the thirties, forties and fifties, including many show tunes and off-Broadway performances. It was not uncommon to hear her playing Ethel Merman or Cole Porter on her Bose radio. Perhaps one of the most redeeming characteristics about Carol was her ability to bring joy to the family. There were not many Christmas's that did not involve a birthday. That meant a two-day holiday celebration that included many shared stories, laughter, hugs and the love of close family and friends. Christmas Carol will certainly be missed, and for all who had an opportunity to know her, will forever cherish fond memories of a beautiful woman. For those who want to pay their final respects to Carol, please join family and friends for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in St. Maria Goretti Church at 165 Power Rd., Pawtucket on Thursday, 12/17/15 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held 12/16/15 in the Keefe Funeral Home, Five Higginson Ave., Lincoln, RI, from 4 - 7 PM.