Carole C. Kavetski

Carole "Deeda" Kavetski, former resident of Bowie, MD, passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2016, surrounded by her family and caring staff of Homestead Manor Assisted Living, in Denton, MD, where she lived. She was born on Sept. 10, 1939, daughter to the late Joseph and Isabel Coyle of Pennsylvania. She was married to Tony Kavetski, who passed away in 2009 after 49 wonderful years of marriage. Carole, a retired office manager at Metropolitan Radiology in Bowie, MD, enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and was very involved with Sacred Heart Church in Bowie, where she and her husband served as Eucharist ministers. Carole looked forward to holiday and family celebrations and was known for her infectious smile and willingness to help others. The simple things in life gave her the greatest pleasures.                       Carole “Deeda” Kavetski Carole Kavetski probably never thought of herself as anything more than a wife and mother, but she was much more than that.  She was a friend a teacher a role model a confidant and grandmother. Carole was always there when our family needed help and never complained.   When I first met Kris and moved to Maryland, I needed a place to live.  Carole and Tony took me in without hesitation and never complained about feeding another mouth.  And when you lived in Carole’s house you learned how important Sunday family dinners were and I looked forward to every one of them.  Carole made a house feel like a home.  We carry on that family meal tradition in my home today and our daughter Kayla is also following this tradition.  We had great discussions and solved all the problems of the day at those dinners. Carole (and her late husband Tony) were also available on a moment's notice to help our family whether providing advice on child rearing, cooking a turkey or babysitting for us.  And these were not always at convenient times.  In fact on several occasion Carole would drop everything and drive from Bowie and come to the eastern shore (or wherever we lived) and stay with our children so Kris and I could go to work and so our children would see a familiar face when the woke up or had family to make dinner for them and put them to bed. She never complained!   Carole loved her family and would do anything for them, but her grandchildren meant everything to her.  She loved seeing the girls all dressed up in their Sunday outfits and enjoyed seeing them in their Halloween costumes.  Although Carole was not much for participating in sports, she made sure when the grandkids finished their activities and went to “Deeda’s” house, they had plenty to eat and eating was something the Kaveski’s did right.  Carole and Tony could cater with the best of them and set the standard for all our family cookouts and parties.        Later in life Carole and Tony took in Carole’s mother Isabel.  Isabel was too old to live alone after her husband passed so she and Tony took her in and never complained.  Nanna as she was called, was fun to be around and although she didn’t have a lot to say, she was always listening and when I would ask her for an opinion I was surprised how much she was paying attention.  Carole and Tony took wonderful care of Nanna and set a great example of what family does for family.  What a great experience for our children (and me) to get to know their Nanna Everyone was welcome in the Kavetski home.    Carole and Tony were also proud Naval Academy Student Sponsors and took in several Midshipmen, but one in particular, Joe “Poncho” Wallis, forged a lasting relationship with Carole and Tony.  He was like the son they never had (well that was until I came along ha ha).  Joe returned to Bowie to see Tony and Carole every time he was in town and always had a story to tell from his world travels.  Carole and Tony really loved Joe and brightened up whenever he visited.  Joe was able to see Carole towards the end but it was like they were never apart.    My family and I have so many great memories of Tony and Carole.  We went to Orioles games, spent short overnight weekends at resorts together and even attended a Gay Rodeo!  But some of the best times were those we all spent at Rehoboth Beach, DE.  The Kavetski’s managed a beach house for Carole’s boss and we would all get to use the place on various holidays and off season.  We had great meals there, went to church, played on the beach and just laid around.  Oh, and Carole never missed a trip to the Outlets for shopping.  Poor Tony would have to drive and either shop or people watch.  I felt bad for Tony so joined him in his hobby of people watching.  When our kids got older they got into the shopping tradition and to this day love the Outlets….too much!    When I moved to Maryland I brought with me a Pit Bull dog named Brutus.  I had him since college and when our daughter Kayla was born Brutus did not like the competition and lunged at her.  Luckily he missed but the decision was made to put him down.  Carole loved Brutus and would not allow this so she and Tony took in another mouth to feed.  They loved that dog and the protection he provided.  Brutus lived out his remaining years with them and slept not only on their bed, but sometimes under the covers.  When he passed they really missed him. Carole also loved the Maryland State Police.  She got to know many troopers and even a few Superintendents.  She loved to ride in marked police cars.  But I believe her proudest moments were attending the police academy graduation of her daughter Kris.  She would always tell us when she ran into a trooper and told them about Kris and I and asked them if they knew us.  I think she secretly wished she was a trooper!    Carole was always in a good mood and had a smile for everyone.  She was even known as “smiley” and “Foxy” where she lived at Homestead Manor Assisted Living facility. I think only one man at Homestead called her Foxy?  Even in her last few weeks she was still able to smile and make others feel good.  The staff at Homestead really liked Deeda.  She always seemed to keep them laughing and on their toes…..even when she tossed a pancake at someone in the dining hall.  Carole loved to have visits from the grand kids and Mr. Wilson (our dog).  She also enjoyed seeing her grandson Kasey when he would bring over his latest girlfriend or prom date and Carole would give him 20 questions for the next 6 months. Then he would show up with another girl and it would start all over again.  Kasey loved to bring her bullock’s ice cream or something from McDonalds.  Kayla also loved to see her Deeda.  Kayla brought her boyfriend Ryan over to see Deeda and she just loved him.  Tattoos and all!  She called him “the Irish Boy” and always asked about him.       Unfortunately threw Carole a curve ball and she came down with cancer, not once but 3 times, however she never let it slow her down.  She fought it off and I don’t believe I ever heard her complain about the treatments or how she felt.  She was not going to let cancer disrupt her life.  Once she beat it she never mentioned it.  She just went on living life.   After Tony passed she slowed down a bit and her health began to slowly deteriorate.  But in true Carole fashion she kept smiling.  Her pleasures in life were simple ones.  She loved to get her nails done and loved to tell the priest at St. Elizabeth’s Church he was late.  She also loved to spend holiday meals at our house and just take a ride across town.  As her hearing worsened we would write notes to her.  I would love to make things up just to see her laugh.    Carole was like a mother to me.  My mother lived across the country and I was not able to see her as often as I would have liked, but Carole was always there for me to talk to.  We will all miss her and Tony.  The Kavetski’s were simple people who loved their country and family.  They passed on much more then they will ever know.  And their grandchildren will be left with some of the best memories of their lives.  Although Carole and Tony are gone they will never be forgotten.  If we could become half the citizens they were the world would be in much better shape.    We love you Deeda and will never forget you and all you have done for us.  Thanks for loving all of us and thanks for bringing happiness to our lives.  Rest in peace and remember to watch out for us.  We will be joining you one day look forward to one of your special Sunday meals.   I love you Deeda,