Carol Ann Patten

Carol was born on August 12, 1944, daughter of the late Sumner and Thelma (Root) Kinsman. She was raised in Springfield, MA, where she attended area schools, graduating from High School of Commerce with the Class of 1963. It was not until later in her career that she earned an Associate’s degree from Springfield Technology Community College in 2001, graduating alongside her nephew, which was a great joy.

On August 9, 2006, Carol united with her true love, Conrad Yanis, exchanging vows on a sailboat off the coast of Camden, ME.

Carol had been employed as an administrative assistant and worked in budgeting. She held several positions in different fields including a golf course and Electrical Wholesalers, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and the May Institute in which she retired. She took great pride in independently learning sign language and being an interpreter for the church and at work as needed.

Dedicated to her faith, Carol had been an active member at the Evangelical Church in Springfield, MA, and most recently at the Monadnock Covenant Church in Keene, NH. She treasured the sense of community and was proud to support the 100+ Women Who Care. She was a charitable staple of her community.

Carol was known for being outgoing and friendly. She had a knack for being able to reuse and repurpose things, making sure nothing went to waste. She was an avid traveler, along with her husband Conrad, taking trips in their camper and visiting every national park. Together they enjoyed an Alaskan cruise and wintering in Plant City, Fl, within the Strawberry Square Community, which was centralized around square dancing – a major passion of Carol’s. Carol was a foodie and appreciated local cuisines, wherever she was, until the very end. She also loved her visits to the Cape and spending time hiking and camping in nature.

Carol will be dearly missed by her daughters: Kirsten Pavoni of Springfield, MA, and Deanna Suomala and her husband Jay of Wilbraham, MA; grandchildren: Josh Petit, Dakotah Pavoni, Quinn Suomala, Trey Pavoni, and Brady Suomala; great-granddaughter: Dahlia Petit; brother: Davis Kinsman; as well as several extended family members, many life-long friends, and members of the Hillside and Covenant communities and Monadnock Community Church in Keene.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband, Conrad Yanis, and sister-in-law, Nancy Kinsman.

A memorial service for Carol will be held Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road, Keene, NH 03431.

An additional celebration of life will be held on March 30, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Nathan Bill’s Restaurant in Springfield in the Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan Banquet Hall, 110 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carol's memory may be made to 100+ Women Who Care - Cheshire County, c/o Jane Shapiro, 140 Peg Shop Road, Keene, NH 03431 (www.100pluswomencheshirecounty.com), Shriners’ Hospital (www.shrinerschildrens.org), or Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).