Carolyn Anne Vallone

Sept. 5, 1932 -Nov. 20, 2024

A true superhero — cape included — Carolyn has bid a reluctant farewell to many earthly pleasures: good books and great clearance sales, “Jeopardy” and North Carolina-style barbecue. But there is no good-bye to that which she holds most dear. She believed in keeping family close; staying true to your moral compass; setting high expectations while providing loving support through the fails. Those values continue to guide the many family, friends, colleagues and strangers she taught, led and loved.

We miss Carolyn every day. Her delight at finding perfect strawberries — on sale! Her love of celebrating … everyone. Her excellent advice on all matters personal and professional.

The first child of Willie B. Weaver and Mary (Martin) Weaver, Carolyn grew up in Bethel, N.C., surrounded by grandparents, aunts and uncles. She loved her childhood and made it her mission to ensure her family, and all within her orbit, felt that same sturdy embrace. When she first experienced serious health issues on Oct. 17, one of her biggest concerns was getting her Halloween cards (a $5 bill in each) mailed to her great-grands. Despite being hospitalized, she did. Of course.

As a kid, Carolyn worked summers picking tobacco and, at 14, as a bookkeeper, to earn money for clothes and her future education. She graduated as salutatorian from Norview High School in Norfolk, Va., in 1949, and enrolled at DePaul Hospital School of Nursing — it had the best food. That’s where she earned her blue nurse’s cape in 1952. That cape, and her nurse’s cap, symbolized the deep obligation she felt to her profession. She treated them with reverence as she honed her skills in emergency rooms and obstetrics departments, becoming a sought-after clinician and instructor.

Carolyn earned her bachelor’s at the University of Vermont in 1970 while working as assistant director of nursing at DeGoesbriand Hospital in Burlington, Vt., and raising four kids as a single mother (no safety nets for divorcees in the ’60s!). She squeezed in summer weekends as the nurse at Camp Marycrest, which paid for her children to relive her happy memories of Girl Scout sleepaway camp. She loved her time with the nuns, and her children cherish their camp memories.

Years later, she would spend whole summers as a camp nurse in North Carolina and Vermont so her grandkids could attend at no charge. Those now-grown kids remain grateful for what they realize was a precious gift. Camp life and the one-on-one time with Nana — sharing good talks while losing nickels at gin rummy — helped them become self-confident, well-rounded adults.

Carolyn earned her master’s at the University of Florida in 1971 and was promptly hired by St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa as director of nursing. There, as always, she led with her heart, ensuring patient care was the top priority. The following year, with the eldest child in braces and the rest clearly in need, she enlisted in the Air Force Reserve as a captain to fund a future of orthodontia. Twenty years later, she retired as a major, a certified flight nurse and the mother of four adults with beautiful smiles. (Thanks, Mom.)

Carolyn met her second husband in the 1970s. She and the late Armand “Val” Vallone, St. Joseph’s handsome, fun-loving security director, blended their families long before they married in 1985. They shared, foremost, love. Also, a devotion to family, and rock-hard principles. Through decades of weekly Sunday night dinners — 6:30 p.m., don’t be late! — their kids and grandkids grew up reliving Carolyn and Val’s best childhood memories. That included heaps of roast pork and twice-baked potatoes, elbows off the table and Nana coaxing the grands to “just let me wiggle” that loose tooth, which she often popped right out.

Higher education gave Carolyn freedom. She made it the expectation for her kids, grands and great-grands, funding Florida pre-paid college tuition for many of them.

She kept her nursing license until she was 88 years old and remained the go-to consultant for family and friends. In 2017, the Florida Nurses Association inducted her into its Hall of Fame. She appreciated the honor, but always said her biggest accomplishment was shepherding four kids, simultaneously, through adolescence.

Left to carry on her work are children Peggy Tyre (Michael); Tracey Shadday (Larry); David Munton; and Penny Carnathan (Ben); bonus kids Tommy Vallone (Debbie); Michelle Salvato (Gary); Joe Vallone (Debbie); brother Barry Weaver (Teresa); 17 adoring grandchildren; 14 great-grands; nine nieces and nephews; and longtime best friend, Iris McDonald.

We will celebrate Carolyn at 2 p.m., Dec. 16 at St. Elizabeth Convent, 3000 N. Perry Ave., Tampa. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Judeo Christian Health Clinic (judeochristianhealthclinic.org). She loved it!