Carol Ann Miscia (nee Catalano), 63, died peacefully at her home in Verona on June 18, 2015 after a valiant fight with lung cancer. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona, on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 10 a.m. Interment at Restland Memorial Park in East Hanover. Visiting will be on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Caggiano Memorial, 62 Grove St, Montclair. Attendees are encouraged to wear something colorful to celebrate Carol’s bright personality and love of life.
She was born December 8, 1951 in Glen Ridge, to Michael and Antonette Catalano; she was a graduate of Montclair High School and Berkeley Secretarial School. Carol moved to Verona in 1974, when she married Frank J. Miscia, Jr. As their two children, Janine and Michael, went through the Verona school system, Carol was a very active parent in multiple organizations including the Forest Avenue PTA, Boy Scout Troop 2 and the football, tennis, volleyball, choir and theatre programs at Verona High School. She was a volunteer for the Verona Ambulance Unit from 1974 to 1979 and a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church from 1974. Carol worked with the gracious staff and parishioners at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Montclair as their parish administrator for 20 years.
All her life, Carol enjoyed creative activities like sewing, crafts, crocheting, painting, and drawing. She also loved to dance, walk the hills of her neighborhood and attend Zumba classes. Throughout her struggle, Carol reached out to others suffering with the same illness through her participation in the Verona-based women’s support group WINGS. With her strong will to live, her perseverance and unwavering faith, Carol was an inspiration for others and their family members to have hope.
Carol is survived by her loving husband, Frank, children Michael Miscia and Janine Barboza, daughter-in-law Deanna, son-in-law Anthony, precious grandchildren Lucas and Ella, mother Antonette, and sisters Mary Studer and Brenda Lodato. A true “mother to all,” Carol was affectionately referred to as “Mama Mish” by many. She is predeceased by her father Michael Catalano, and in-laws May and Frank Miscia, Sr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations: The American Lung Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and St. John’s Episcopal Church of Montclair, NJ.
