Carol A Ulrope

Charlottesville, VA - Carol Ann (nee Kostenbader) Ulrope, 90, passed away on March 25, 2020. She resided at the Martha Jefferson House in Charlottesville, Virginia for the last four years. After a long fight with respiratory illnesses, she was placed in the care of Hospice of the Piedmont for the last days of her life. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Eagles Ulrope, Jr. to whom she was married for 46 years. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Helen (nee Goodyear) Kostenbader, her sister Joyce Newcomb (Harrison) and her brothers, Paul Kostenbader (Matilda), Daniel Kostenbader (Jean), and Jimmy Kostenbader, her nephew, Paul Kostenbader, all of Bethlehem, PA, and her son-in-law Jerry Finazzo (Paula) of Earlysville, VA.

Carol is survived by her daughters Robyn Musto (Richard) of Pitman, NJ, Beth Sorcigli (Giovanni) of Lake Forest, CA, Paula Finazzo (Jerry) of Earlysville, VA, Mary Turner (Chris) of Scottsville, VA, Patty Smith (Steve) of Keswick, VA, and her son, Leonard E. Ulrope, III of Wheaton Ridge, CO. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Maryanne Kostenbader (Jimmy) of Bethlehem, PA, and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Carol was born on July 20, 1929 to the late Paul Jackson Kostenbader and Helen Ida (nee Goodyear) Kostenbader in Bethlehem, PA, where she enjoyed a happy childhood with her siblings, friends and many cousins. She graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA, later attended Penn State University studying nutrition, and then worked briefly at Bethlehem Steel in PA. Carol met Len in Bethlehem, PA at Lehigh University, where he obtained his degree in Business. Married in 1950, they had six beautiful children, to whom she was a dedicated, patient, fun and loving mother and homemaker. Carol was an inventive and creative cook and casseroles were one of her specialties! She was always neat, stylish, organized and very busy! She fondly recalled each of her children’s births, but one particular memory was the day she gave birth to identical twin girls in 1959 in Stony Brook, NY. She already had three girls at home and was told by her doctor she was expecting a very big boy. Instead, she and Len were blessed with not one but, two baby girls. What a huge surprise! She always remembered the town of Stony Brook treating her like a celebrity at the time. A few years later and after having five daughters, Carol gave birth to a baby boy to carry on the family's unusual last name.

Len's career with Standard Oil, later Esso and Exxon, spanned over 35 years. During his employment, due to job promotions, the family made several moves over the years. Starting out in Albany, NY, the family moved on to Bronxville, NY , Stony Brook, NY, Setauket, NY , Ardmore, PA, Willingboro, NJ, Lansdale, PA, and retired in Osprey, FLA. They especially loved Stony Brook when the kids were young, as they made many wonderful, lasting friendships and memories there. Carol and Len eventually ended up at Lake Monticello, VA to be close to their children and grandchildren. Carol became a widow in 1996 while living there.

Carol was active with family activities, the Art League and at the lake community. She loved watercolor painting and to further her knowledge of the art, she attended art classes at Piedmont VA Community College. She went on to join the Fluvanna Art Association in Virginia and served on the council for several years. Carol was an avid reader throughout her life, and loved the American authors “Ann Tyler” and “Joyce Carol Oates” novels the best. Sadly, she partially lost her vision due to macular degeneration, but that didn't stop her from listening to books on tape. At the Martha Jefferson House, Carol continued to paint and finished many creative works of art, despite her poor eyesight. She instilled the love of art and crafts in her children and grandchildren and relished her times spent gathering together for family art projects. She taught her children how to sew and was famous for her homemade Halloween costumes when her children were young.

Carol had a special fondness for the beach and never missed the opportunity to go on family vacations to the Jersey Shore or the Outer Banks in NC. Her family also enjoyed many fun vacations at Lake Florence, PA. Through the years, Carol treasured fun times with friends, but her main passion was spending time with her large family.

Carol, fondly known as “MomMom” to her family, cherished family events and times spent with her 6 children, 18 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed and remembered by all.

Carol's children wish to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff at Martha Jefferson House in Charlottesville, VA for their care, kindness, professionalism and compassion.

Memorial contributions may be made in Carol's name to Martha Jefferson House, 1600 Gordon Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22903 or to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

***Due to the distance between us, the family sincerely encourages everyone to share their condolences and special memories here at www.teaguefuneralhome.com.