Carola Braun Gradilone

Carola Braun Gradilone, a long time resident of Nanuet, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2012. Carol was born in Richmond, Queens on July 10, 1919 and was the daughter of Edward and Theresa Braun. She was 93.

Carol was a graduate of Wyckoff Heights Hospital School of Nursing and was awarded honors from St. John’s University for a BS in Nursing.

Her career as a Registered Professional Nurse was shortened by the onset of World War II when she enlisted in The US Navy Nurse Corp. Throughout the war, she served stateside, primarily in New Orleans. Rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve, Carol was called to active duty at the beginning of the Korean Conflict and stationed at the US Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. She served with great distinction and was awarded the Secretary of the Navy Citation, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for “meritorious service in the treatment and hospitalization of 5804 war casualties and other patients from December 5, 1950 to January 15, 1951”. As a surgical nurse, Carol helped expand the 100-bed dispensary to an 800-bed hospital, the United States Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan.

Carol’s “Honest and Faithful Service” during her military career is on permanent record at the United States Women’s War Memorial in Washington, DC.

Carol married Constantine Gradilone after the war and began her family life in Rockland County. She worked as a School Nurse Teacher in public and parochial schools throughout the county for many years. She was an active parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church and a member of the Blessed Mother Sodality and volunteer at the Northern Manor Nursing Home. Carol was an officer in the Ladies’ Auxiliary Guild of Good Samaritan Hospital and a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Throughout her life, Carol continued to be acknowledged for her extraordinary service to the country receiving the Medal of Merit and the Conspicuous Service Star from the State of NY. When she was 81, she and the other Navy Nurses of the Korean War were honored by the US Marine Corp at their base in Quantico, Virginia on the fiftieth anniversary of the Korean War. Carol’s story and those of her fellow nurses are documented in US Navy Commander Frances Omori’s book Quiet Heroes.

Carol is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Peter and Deborah of New Rochelle and her son Martin of Melbourne, Florida. Her beloved brother Henry Braun and many loving nieces and nephews also survive her. Her husband Constantine predeceases her.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 10:00 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 36 West Nyack Rd, Nanuet, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s memory to the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, 190 Kings Highway, Box 276, Sparkill, NY 10976 would be deeply appreciated.