Karoline Emily Taaffe

Karoline was born on March 26, 1928, in Plattsburgh, New York, to Alfred and Florence Samuelson. Her love of travel began early in life, sparked by her first train trip with her parents from Albany to Plattsburgh on August 1, 1928. In 1930, she journeyed with her parents from New York City to Arendal, Norway, where they visited her father’s family. They returned to Albany on September 24, 1930, traveling through London and Southampton, England. In August 1949, Karoline returned to Norway with her friend Ellen Schlansker to visit their families. She deeply loved Norway and took great pride in her Norwegian heritage.

Karoline graduated from St. Teresa’s School in June 1941 and from the Vincentian Institute on June 25, 1945, both in Albany. Along with her high school diploma, she earned a Gregg Shorthand Speed Certificate for neatly and accurately writing shorthand at eighty words per minute for five minutes. In 1950, she graduated from the Mildred Elley Secretarial School for Girls in Albany.

On September 8, 1951, Karoline married Francis V. Taaffe at St. Teresa’s Church in Albany. Together they raised three children, Kevin, Thomas, and Patricia, in the Town of Colonie, New York.

Karoline worked for many years in the Sears credit department at Colonie Center during the late 1960s and 1970s. Karoline and Frank later moved to Port Orange, Florida, to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

She was an avid bowler, reader, painter, and jigsaw puzzle enthusiast, and she loved knitting. Karoline especially enjoyed selling her handmade crafts at the annual La Costa Village craft fair. She and her husband Frank also shared a love of travel and enjoyed touring Europe and Norway together.

Karoline was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Frank; her parents, Alfred and Florance; her brothers, Alf and Thomas Samuelson; and her grandson, Thomas Taaffe II.

She is survived by her sons, Kevin (Candice) and Thomas (Cheryl); her daughter, Patricia Rizzo (Steve); and her grandchildren, Lauren Shaffer (Bryan), Daniel Rizzo (Samantha), and Madison O’Day (Burk). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Levi, Emmalyn, and Liliana.

Karoline is fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews and friends with whom she shared a lifetime of visits, phone calls, and cherished memories.

She was also blessed by the weekly visits of two special ladies, Yvonne and Anne from Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, whose companionship, laughter, shared stories, and delivery of Holy Communion brought her great joy.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Halifax Hospice and the many wonderful caregivers who supported Karoline in her final years. A special thank you to Amy Long for the compassionate care she provided during the last year of Karoline’s life.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, April 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 4815 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, Florida, with a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, April 13, at 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 4675 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, Florida. Burial will follow at Volusia Memorial Park in Ormond Beach.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Karoline’s memory may be made to Halifax Hospice at: https://halifaxhealth.org/hospice-donation-portal. In the “Designation” section, please select the “Family Caregivers Program.”