Carolyn Laveau

Carolyn Jeanetta (Hughes) LaVeau departed this life after a very long illness on June 11, 2015. She was born on December 23, 1946 to George Walter and Dessie Mae Hughes. She attended the parochial school system as a child, graduating from Albany High School thereafter. She earned her degree from Suny Cobleskill in Nutritional Services as a young woman. Carolyn worked from many years for Albany Memorial Hospital; first as a dietary aid and then as a Dietician with additional supervisory duties in the Dietary department.

Carolyn always displayed ingenuity as a young woman and indomitable spirit. Wherever there was a need, she was there to help. Carolyn had a sort of selfless love for everyone and made all feel as though they were someone to be cared for as well as reckoned with. Everyone mattered to her and she would go out of her way to make all feel comfortable and welcomed. Carolyn willingly offered sustenance for body, soul, heart, and mind in a loving manner to all she came in contact with. Her advice was loving but direct and her favorite phrase to substantiate her opinion was "no excuses." In conjunction with her advice, Carolyn will be remembered for her strong will and independent spirit. In later years, she zipped along in her motorized wheelchair without hardly anyone being able to keep up with her. Additionally, despite having suffered the loss of a limb that would have prevented most from driving, Carolyn kept her driver's license until the very end. She was an avid traveler that took her all across the world, including England, South America, and the Caribbean. She was very fond of the islands and traveled there often, Jamaica being particularly close to her heart. Carolyn was planning her next jaunt there before her passing.

Carolyn became a lifelong member Union Missionary Baptist Church after her mother and father settled in the capital region in 1954. She was most known for being at church every Sunday without fail when able and immediately at the first sight of recovery from her illnesses. She was the church secretary until her health and physical mobility prevented her from working in the capacity. Carolyn was also the president of her Alpha Chi Omega Chi for many years until her health prevented her from fulfilling the position.

Carolyn was loved by all and had many friends from all walks of life. The adage, "To have a friend, you have to be a friend," best illustrates her in this regard. That was Carolyn.

Our dear Carolyn is predeceased by her father and mother, George Walter Sr. and Dessie Mae Hughes, and her sisters Georgia Mae and Brenda. She leaves behind her sisters Rosalyn and Tina as well as her brother George Walter Jr., her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews as well as a host of family members and friends.

Funeral Service will be Monday, June 22, 2015at 12:00 pm at the Union Missionary Baptist Church, 3 Morton Ave., Albany. Calling hours will precede the service from 11:00 to 12:00. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.

The family would like to thank everyone who have extended their condolences to us with cards, kind words, prayers and support in our time of bereavement as well as the continued support and prayer for Carolyn throughout the years.