Carole Kivlighan

Mary Carole Kivlighan (Carole) passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah in Fishersville, VA surrounded by her family. She was 75 years old.

Carole was born in Staunton, VA on November, 4, 1946. She was a lifelong Catholic and grew up attending St Francis Church in Staunton. Carole graduated from RE Lee High School in 1964 and graduated from Emory and Henry College in 1968. She then became a Sister at the Belmont Abbey in North Carolina before coming back to Virginia to receive her Masters in Education from James Madison University. Carole touched many lives and loved helping others, finding her true calling in teaching children. As a dedicated teacher and principal, she spent most of her 38 years in education in the Montgomery County School System. After retiring, Carole moved back to her hometown of Staunton, VA to be closer to her family.

Carole loved being with family and friends. She was the first to arrive and last to leave at all family gatherings. Carole was preceded in death by her parents, William Owen and Isabel Briola Kivlighan. She was also preceded in death by her sister-in-law Pam Kivlighan and brother Jim Kivlighan. Per her wishes, she will be buried next to her mother in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton.

Carole is survived by her two brothers, Bill and Mike and his wife Charlotte, and Jim’s wife Joan. She has twelve nieces and nephews; Alycia, Lauren, Michael, Jim, and wife Mia, Laura, Katherine and husband John, Helen and husband Paul, Virginia, and Kenneth. She also has nine great-nieces and nephews; Isa, Jessica, Erin, Hanna, Drew, Jimmy, Paulie, Joanie, and Isaiah.

Carole loved bulldogs her whole life and is survived by Margo. Margo will be living with family and misses Carole very much. She also loved music, especially 60’s music. Carole was always ready for a trip or adventure. Whether it was a trip to the Outer Banks with friends or family where she could eat shrimp daily or go parasailing, snorkeling, or scuba diving, she enjoyed it all. Some of her favorite trips were to Alaska, the Florida Keys, Germany, and Ireland.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 6-7 P.M. at Henry Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Staunton by the Rev. Matthias Lusembo. Masks must be worn during the service. Burial will follow at Thornrose Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Carole wanted memorial donations to be made to Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 118 N New St, Staunton, VA 24401.