Carol M Webster

After bravely fighting cancer for a second time, on April 19, 2023 Carol Thurston Webster’s spirit departed for the great beyond. Although she will be greatly missed, her soul is now reunited with her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Thomas Madigan Webster.

Carol was born on December 18, 1957 in Corning, NY. She was the fourth of Evelyn & John Thurston’s six children. Her childhood home was lively and full of laughter, it is where she cultivated her sense of humor and eagerness to laugh. Sadly, she was predeceased by her parents & three elder siblings (Charlene (Rick) Bates, Dennis (Dawn) Thurston & Tommy Thurston). She loved carrying on family traditions in their memory and frequently returned to her childhood home for holidays. She cherished being able to spend time with her siblings, Susan Icobelli (her ‘Sissy’) and Francis Thurston (as well as his wife Debbie Thurston).

It was while she was a student at Corning - Painted Post East High School - that she met the love of her life. One day she was riding around town with friends and saw a tall, “dark haired fella,” playing music conductor with a straw to a park bench full of his friends. Little did she know, that moment was the first time she saw her future husband. (She would recount the story many times in the years to come.) They started dating and went on to get married in 1978. Carol and Tom were together for 28 years, up until his tragic passing. They shared a beautiful life together, resulting in their two children & her cherished family home.

Carol was a supportive and involved mother to their two children, Adam Thurston Webster and Allison Marie Webster Debo. She could always be found cheering at their sporting events and greatly enjoyed being a hockey mom. She made many lasting friendships throughout Adam’s time in the PJHA, even running the snack bar at one point. While ever her children’s cheerleader, Carol was always rather quiet about her artistic abilities. She was a talented seamstress, loving to sew quilts and baby gifts, and she also had beautiful handwriting and a knack with calligraphy pens. Carol never met a craft store she didn’t like, always buying copious amounts of fabric ‘for future projects’. She also enjoyed painting images on rocks that she would hide in public spaces in the hopes someone would find them and it would better their day.

One of the things that made Carol shine brightest was being a grandmother. Her daughter Allison & son-in-law, Matthew Debo, gave her a granddaughter & grandson that she absolutely adored. Too eager to wait for Madigan to properly pronounce ‘Granny’, she took on the name ‘GeGe,’ when that’s what the toddler began to call her. On afternoons GeGe could frequently be found waiting for the bus to drop off Henry, just for a simple hug, and then she would be on her way. Her grandchildren lit up her life and their artwork adorns her house at every turn. She delighted in sharing her pool with them in the summer & in the winter baking Christmas cookies.

Carol also loved to travel. Since childhood, her family had made annual summer trips to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She was immensely pleased when her son took up residence there, using it as an excuse to visit more frequently. While she liked visiting her favorite restaurants & shops, her absolute favorite thing was when Adam would drive her to the Nauset outer beach to watch the sunset over the ocean. In serendipitous timing, she & Adam took a trip to Ireland just before her illness took hold, fulfilling a life long dream to visit the home of her ancestors.

Carol was vivacious and loved to talk, she was known to strike up conversations with complete strangers wherever she went. Despite loving to travel, she took great pride in Potsdam, it’s people, and it’s education system, of which she worked at for a time. When she & Tom had initially moved here from Liverpool, NY she had been cynical of living in such a small town. Over the years all doubt was erased and she never had any intention of ever moving elsewhere.

Carol will be missed by many friends and family including her nephews and niece (Mike Iskandar, Andy (Azita) Iskandar, David (Christine) Bates, Tyler Thurston, Alex Thurston, Ryan Thurston, George Icobelli, Andrew Icobelli & Hannah Icobelli). We find comfort in knowing she’s in good company with those that passed before her, those mentioned above, as well as her parents-in-law, John & Mary Webster, and her brother-in-law Frank Webster.

She is survived by her 2 children, 2 grandchildren, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. She has left an indelible mark on all of our souls and will forever be in our hearts. Her memory will be kept alive by all those that loved her and through the countless kind deeds that she was known for.

Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Saturday, April 28th from 11 am until 1 pm. There will be a remembrance by family and friends at 1pm at the Garner Funeral Service. Burial will follow the service at Bayside Cemetery in Potsdam, NY. Condolences for the Webster family can be shared @www.garnerfh.com