Obituary of Carolynn M. Palombo

Carolynn M. Palombo

AFTON--Our mom, Carolynn Marie Marino Palombo, went to join her savior Jesus Christ in heaven on her 75th birthday, August 5th, 2019, lovingly surrounded by her family at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. She was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1944, to her parents Wayne and Elizabeth Ikola. She had three siblings Bertha Popp and Joseph Ikola, who both predeceased her, and a sister Mary Donor.

She married our father, Gaetano “Tom” Marino, in 1964 after he proposed in a White Castle parking lot. In 1985 they moved to Afton, New York following their dream for a better place for their children. They had 27 wonderful years together, making memories with us and teaching us about marriage and loving each other unconditionally. Our father predeceased her in 1992.

Our mom loved her family greatly. She adored her grandchildren, Tyler (Emily), Krystle, Aaron, Andrew, and Nathan Rozelle; Robert and Antonina Parrotte. Most recently she was delighted with the arrival of her twin great-grandsons Maximillian and Henry Rozelle. 

She married Louis Palombo in 1998, who survives her. Mom struggled with many health issues but often kept those issues to herself, always putting others first. She was a type 1 diabetic and suffered from kidney failure. It was Lou’s persistence in helping to arrange a kidney/pancreas transplant that she had in 2005, that gave us 14 more quality years to spend with her. We are also thankful for the family who donated their loved one’s organs to my mom. 

While there are many, we would like to honorably mention some extended family and friends who also touched her life that will deeply miss her, Antonina (Vincent) Castoria, Joseph (Josephine) Marino, Carol (Nat) Giambalvo. 

She was an active member of her church, Saint John the Evangelist Church in Bainbridge New York. She was also active in the community, volunteering at such places as Birthright in Sidney, NY and the Afton Foodbank. She was an active member of the Afton Seniors Group for many years and enjoyed their day trips and playing cards with her senior friends.

She was a shining example of showing love to everyone who touched her life. She showed us how to walk in forgiveness and how to love others. She was our greatest cheerleader, someone who we knew we could tell everything to, and she always had wisdom and a word of encouragement without judgment. She had a gift for reaching out and keeping in contact with friends old and new, sending words of encouragement and thoughtful gifts. To honor our mom, we hope to continue the legacy she started. 

She will be deeply missed by us, her daughters, Annmarie (William) Rozelle and Elizabeth (James) Parrotte, her husband Louis, and her family that survive her. 

 "A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." Cardinal Mermillod

We want to send a special thank you to the nurses and staff at the CV-ICU at Wilson Memorial Hospital for their professionalism and support during this difficult time. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Birthright, Sidney New York.

Friends may call from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00pm on Friday, August 9, 2019 at the C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney, NY 13838. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 10th at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 32 S. Main St. Bainbridge, NY 13733.  Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, Afton, NY.

Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.