Carol Quackenbush

ATHENS- Carol Thorsen Quackenbush, 78, of Athens, NY, passed away on July 4th at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Born in Newburgh, NY to Irene and John Thorsen, she spent most of her life in the Albany, NY area and recently in Athens, NY. Carol was a graduate of Voorheesville Central High School and a 1958 graduate of Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. The highlight and defining moment for her was being chosen as the 1957 Albany Tulip Queen. She worked as a registered nurse at Albany Medical Center Hospital, was an instructor for the Albany Licensed Practical Nurse Program and was the camp nurse at Stratton Mountain Boy Scouts of America camp for NYS scouts for 8 summers. She wrote the curriculum for the first certified Personal Care Aide/Home Health Aide training program which was adopted by the NYS Depts of Education, Health and Social Services. She was the coordinator/director of the PCA/Home Health Aide/Nursing Assistant training program conducted for the Albany City School District Adult Education Program for 20 years. Carol was an active member of the Athens Community Garden Club. She was also a member of the Athens Cultural Center Board of Directors and co-chairman of the Athens Community Stroll. She had 5 painted cats selected to be displayed in the Catskill Annual Catting Around Program. She had a love of the arts and crafts and spent much of her retirement nurturing those interests through local venues.
She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Forever loves of her life were her husband "Bob" of 55 years, her children, Mark (Ellen) Quackenbush of Tampa, FL, Steven (Alison) Quackenbush of Framingham, MA and Alicia (Julio) Arriaga of Bloomfield, NJ. Her adored grandchildren, Kevin and Kelly Quackenbush of FL, Katie, Maggie and Danny Quackenbush of MA, and Kristina and Jessica Arriaga of NJ. She was also the loving care giver of her two cats, Blackie and Hollow.
Also survived by siblings, John (Nancy) Thorsen of Averill Park, NY, Linda Thorsen Novak of Poughkeepsie, NY, Thomas (Linda) Thorsen of Loon Lake, NY, Terrence (Joceyl) of Myrtle Beach, NC and Karen (Bob) Sullivan of Elk Grove, CA and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205, on Thursday, July 9, 2015, from 4:00-7:00. A funeral ceremony will be held at the funeral home on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 10:00. Burial will be held privately by the family.
Carol as a life long animal lover would prefer a donation to your local Humane Society in lieu of flowers.