Elizabeth Carol F Dirolf

Elizabeth Carol Fitzgerald Dirolf, 97, of Plattsburgh, NY, and formerly of Malone, NY, died Good Friday, April 7, 2023, at Meadowbrook Healthcare with her family by her side.

Carol was born on December 11, 1925, in North Creek, NY, the fourth of ten children of Dr. Andrew Barron Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Myrtle (Little) Fitzgerald.

With her four older brothers joining the war effort at the start of World War II, and with her father seriously ill, Carol as a teenager became responsible for stoking their home’s coal furnace and for maintaining the family car. She wanted to learn to fly, and loved her first lesson, but gave up the idea to allay her mother’s fears. Following her graduation from North Creek High School, Carol worked from 1943 to 1944 as a telephone operator in North Creek, and from 1944 to 1947 as secretary for the Johnsburg Central School. During that time, and signaling her life-long passion for music, Carol also served as choir director of North Creek’s St. James Catholic Church.

On July 26, 1947, Carol married William E. (Bill) Dirolf, also of North Creek, at St. James Church. In 1956, Carol and her family moved to Whitesboro, NY, and in 1966, to Malone, NY. In Malone, and while raising a family of six children, Carol was an active volunteer. She played piano for Bishop Smith Catholic School; served as lector as well as a member of both the choir and Altar Rosary Society at St. Joseph’s Church; and founded a high-school folk-singing group, “Dawn of a New Day.”

In 1974, Carol began working for the Malone Central School System, assisting with teaching remedial math and reading classes. While her four youngest children were attending college, Carol proved she would not be outdone, returning to school herself to earn her LPN degree in 1979 from North Country Community College. In 1983, she began her employment as secretary for Bishop Smith Elementary School, where she also taught music. She retired in 1991.

In November 2001, Carol and her husband Bill moved to Plattsburgh, NY, where she was a communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church. Carol remained extremely active in the church, serving as trustee, lector, and member of both the choir and Altar Rosary Society. At her home at Lake Forest Retirement Community, Carol enthusiastically directed yet another musical group, “The Songbirds.”

Carol loved to visit with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They regularly sought her opinion and advice, for she was a wonderful source of wisdom and guidance. She possessed a wonderful sense of humor and laugh, and loved to tease and to be teased. Her deep, unwavering faith in God remains a source of hope and strength for her family and for all who knew her.

Left to cherish Carol’s memory are four daughters: Elizabeth “Lizanne” Krell of Hagerstown, MD, Mary Pat (Tom) Aravanis of Rockville, MD, Margaret “Peg” Dirolf of Buellton, CA, and Kathryn Dirolf of Olney, MD; two sons: Paul Dirolf and John “Jack” (Joyce) Dirolf, of Plattsburgh, NY; twelve grandchildren: Michael (Laura Oakes) Krell, Kathryn (Daniel) Gallai, Isaac (Alexis) Dirolf, Nicole (Michael) Bennett, Stephanie (Joe) Dirolf, Andrew Frascella, Juliana Frascella, Paul (Mary) Krell, David (Jan Linkenhoker) Krell, Brian (Jess) Amesse, and Kaittie Gee; thirteen great-grandchildren; and very special, like-a-daughter friend, Dr. Mary E. Money, of Hagerstown, MD.

Carol was predeceased by her husband of fifty-eight years, William “Bill” Dirolf, in 2005; four sisters: Mary Patricia Fitzgerald, Joan M. Thackrah, Mary V. Fitzgerald, and Helen M. Fitzgerald; and five brothers: George Barron Fitzgerald, John “Jack” Fitzgerald, Andrew Desmond Fitzgerald, Richard “Dick” Fitzgerald, and Thomas J. Fitzgerald; one son-in-law, Kenneth Krell; and one grandson; Michael Amesse.

The family wishes to recognize and sincerely thank the very special staff at Meadowbrook Healthcare, most especially those in The Orchards unit, for the wonderful care afforded Carol. Their kindness, compassion, and superb care were sources of great comfort to her entire family.

At Carols’ request, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 12 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church, Plattsburgh, NY, with the Reverend William G. Reamer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send a remembrance in Carol’s name to the North Country Mission of Hope or to another charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com