Obituary of Carol M. Laraja

GREENWICH, CONN Carol Mary Taormina Laraja, age 91, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. Carol was born in New York City on July 18, 1931. She was the oldest of four children born to Frank and Rose (Uddo) Taormina. Carol spent most of her youth in Lake Success, Long Island and graduated from Mary Louis Academy in Queens, New York. Following graduation, she attended Loyola University in New Orleans and graduated from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. Carol resided in Greenwich, Connecticut for more than 45 years. Carol was a talented musician, vocalist, and teacher with a strong passion for the opera. She taught Music at The Lenox School, Todd Elementary School, and the Bellows Elementary School in New York. She also taught at Fox Run Elementary School in Connecticut followed by several years of substitute teaching. She inspired her family and students with her love of the arts. She traveled internationally to study music methods to benefit her students’ learning. She was a long-time patron of the arts, including Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera. Carol and her beloved husband, Edward D. Laraja (deceased), were members of The Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, New York for 50 years where they forged many friendships. Carol is survived by her sister, Eleanor Taormina, her brothers John Taormina (Carole) and Joseph Taormina (Maureen), her daughters, Susan Lemonier (Mark) and RoseLynn Jarrett (Thomas), five grandchildren, Dana Lemonier, Caroline Lemonier, Edward Lemonier (Allison), Elizabeth Jarrett, Estelle Jarrett, one great grandchild, Mika Lemonier, and many nieces and nephews. A family visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home in Greenwich from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Greenwich at 10:30 am. Entombment to follow at Willowbrook Cemetery located in Westport, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Francis Breadline (www.stfrancisbreadline.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) in Carol’s name.