Caroline Ann Walker

Caroline (known as Carol to many) was born on July 8, 1932, in Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania to Michael and Maddalena Vassia, who immigrated to the United States from the small town of Crotte in Northern Italy. A first generation American, Caroline was the firstborn of three children and possessed a great sense of responsibility from an early age. A lifetime of volunteerism began at her hometown church when as a teenager she would assist the priest with accounting duties on Sundays. Caroline will be remembered for the extraordinary kindness and generosity she exuded her entire life.

In 1951, at the age of 18, Caroline boarded a bus to Washington D.C. to begin her career working for the Department of Defense as a secretary. Without knowing anyone in the area, she quickly connected with like-minded young women who would become roommates and lifelong friends. Her sister Theresa followed in her footsteps and it was an exciting time full of adventures. Caroline often recalled many fond memories of her experiences in Washington DC including the rewarding work, presidential processions, GI dances, and 50's style sing-along parties. While there, she met and fell in love with her future husband of 51 years, US Marine Corps Captain Mungo R. “Scott” Walker. They married on August 17, 1957, and Caroline supported her husband’s 25-year military career while building their family. During Scott’s military assignments and tours of duty, their growing family made several moves residing in South Carolina, Indiana, and North Carolina before settling in Orlando in 1971 when Scott retired from the USMC.

Caroline's life revolved around her everlasting faith and love of family. A devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and gifted seamstress, she was always on the go with her six children’s activities, community service, and St. Josephs Catholic Church. Caroline served as president and was a member of The Central Florida Home & Community Educators for over 50 years and volunteered for numerous organizations including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4H sewing lessons for girls, to name just a few. Caroline loved being a grandmother and made it a priority to spend quality time with each of her seven grandchildren. After Scott’s second retirement from a 20-year career at Orange County in 1993, they enjoyed spending time cruising and traveling throughout the US, the Caribbean, and Europe.

In 2004, Caroline joined St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and moved to Winter Park Towers in 2015 where she said she “was on vacation every day.” At The Towers, she remained independent and young at heart, continued her volunteer service as “Floor Representative” and various sewing projects. She thoroughly enjoyed her active lifestyle, joined the bell choir, participated in art classes, dancing, swimming, and bingo. More recently, Caroline especially loved playing cards and spending time with her precious friends there.

Caroline enjoyed all the phases of her life surrounded by her big family and great friends. A role model for loving kindness, patience and Christian values, Caroline will be deeply missed and remembered forever.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Mungo R. "Scott" Walker and her brother-in-law Jack Durkin. Caroline is survived by her sister, Theresa Durkin, her brother Carl (Claire) Vassia; her children Robert (Dawn) Walker, Barbara (Bob) Scudder, Jeanne (Craig) Cooley, Karen (John) Ward, Michael (Elizabeth) Walker, Patrick (Liz) Walker; her grandchildren Kirra Scudder, Brandon Ward, Sydney Ward, Logan Walker, Ella Walker, Ashleigh Walker, Richard Walker and cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A funeral Mass is scheduled on Friday, August 12th at 1:00pm at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 Park Avenue, Winter Park, with visitation for friends and family from Noon-1:00pm prior to the mass in the Church entrance. For those who would like to attend virtually, the livestream link is: https://stmargaretmary.org/funeral-mass-livestream/

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to Catholic Charities of Central Florida, an organization Caroline supported with conviction. https://cflcc.org/donate/