ANTONINI, Carolyn Ann (Ashley) 91, a lifelong resident of Tampa, FL joined her beloved husband in Heaven on December 3, 2022, at the Melech Hospice House. The youngest of four children, she was raised during the Depression, along with her now deceased siblings Shirley Weidner, Thomas Ashley, and Jane Reusch, in the Sulphur Springs area by her mother Sallie Burris Ashley.
She had fond memories of trolley rides down Central Avenue, diving from the trestle that spanned the river near her home and swimming with friends in the Hillsborough River. She was a proud graduate of the Class of 1950 from Hillsborough High School. She went on to take classes in journalism at the University of Tampa where she met the love of her life, husband, William (Bill) Antonini. They were happily married for 57 years.
Early in her career, she worked in the Society Section of the Tampa Tribune and worked for a time at WFLA Channel 8. After marrying and an interim of 12 years of early motherhood, she went back to work for Hillsborough County Public Schools as an executive secretary in Secondary Education and later the Technical Career and Adult Education department.
She was a devout Catholic who was very active in her Church through the years. She was always recognized for her deep faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She always went to prayer, especially to our Blessed Mother, in times of need. She will be remembered as positive, kind, and full of life and laughter.
Carolyn and Bill, later known as Mama Nini and Papa Nini by their eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren, raised four children, Susan Sullivan (Ted), William Joseph (Patricia), Thomas (Rose) and Michael deceased (Kathy) deceased. Her family will always cherish memories of family gatherings: Sunday pasta dinners, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer vacations on the warm Gulf Beaches.
After Bill died, she moved to St. Joseph’s John Knox Village,where she met many new and wonderful friends.
A Visitation will be held on Monday, December 12 from 5-7pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 3207 W. Bearss Ave, Tampa. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, December 13 at 1pm at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 10110 N. Central Ave, Tampa, with interment to follow at 3pm at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave, Tampa.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to Chapters Health Foundation in Support of the Melech Hospice House or by check payable to Chapters Health Foundation Melech Hospice House, 3010 W. Azeele Street, Suite 120 Tampa, FL 33609. Or to a charity of your choice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17