Carol Merkent Goetter

After a truly courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Carol Merkent Goetter passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 28, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Carol, loving and dedicated mother to a family of three girls, was brought into this world on August 5, 1941. Carol graduated from Sussex High School in New Jersey in 1959 and was crowned the Beemerville Fire Department Beauty Queen the same year. Atop her treasured horse Amigo, she was a competitive barrel racer. Carol had a thirst for adventure as evidenced by her motorcycle license and many hours logged toward pilot credentials. Carol had a varied work career. She and her beloved “fella” Bob opened and operated CR Art Service out of their home in Huntington, New York. Carol held administrative positions at Huntington High School, the American Diabetes Association and AOL. After completing coursework at the Barton School, Carol earned a certificate in Medical Assisting which she used in administrative and coordinator positions at Williamsburg Community Hospital and Mary Washington Healthcare in Virginia. Through the years, Carol volunteered her time at the schools of her children and as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a creative crafter, spinner, weaver, organic gardener, bird and animal lover. Carol loved to crochet blankets and got great, great joy from gifting them to her family members and friends. Carol was an off-beat free spirit with a huge heart and ginormous sense of humor. She was loved abundantly by so many, and the hole left by her absence is impossible to fill. Carol was predeceased by her parents Ruth Lamont Anderson, Albert Mortimer Merkent and her beloved husband Robert Allen Goetter. She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Cheryl and Douglas Orr of Norfolk, VA, Barbara (Connor) and Robert Gelmetti of Cheshire, CT, Kimm and Thomas Henry of Mechanicsville, VA. Carol leaves behind her ten much loved grandchildren, Andrew, Christine and Emily Orr, Kasey and William Connor, Madeline, Meridith and Hannah Gelmetti, Ryan and Meghan Henry. Carol requested no services be held and that her ashes be spread. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations in her name to the Richmond, Virginia SPCA; Alzheimer's Association; or American Cancer Society.