Carol Florence Coccia's Obituary
Carol F (Fida) Coccia, age 75, of Millville, DE passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, June 3rd after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on January 6, 1948, in Baltimore, MD.
She is survived by her husband, Frank; her daughters: Gina & Tony Davenport, Lisa & Mike Hume; her son, Dean & Robyn Coccia; her grandchildren: Matthew, Ryan, Connor, Lily, Sam, Chloe and Megan; her sister ; Marcy & David Ollivett; her brother Mark Fida; her stepsister Peggy & Bill Denk; her sister-in-law Judy and Joe King and devoted in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Dolores & Melvin Dombrowski, and brother Tony Fida.
Growing up in Baltimore as the eldest child, Carol assumed the role of second mom to her siblings. She attended Patterson High School, where she was an exceptional student and active member in her class. After graduating, Carol served on her reunion committee, planning, attending, and providing her schoolmates the opportunity to come together and reminisce for as many as 55+ years.
At the age of 14, Carol met Frank. They dated, married, and would go on to have 3 children. Moving to Pasadena, MD to raise their family, Carol was very active in her community. While working full time, Carol still found time to volunteer in the schools, act as President of the PTA, coach her daughter’s softball team, lead girl scout troops, and cheer on her son at every game he played. She was a vocal supporter from the stands, always offering encouragement to the players and often educating the referees on their incorrect calls. Their marriage was full of family vacations at the lake/beach, cruises with friends, singing Billy Joel at the dinner table and lots of laughter.
Carol and Frank would have celebrated 57 years of marriage, the week after her death.
Carol worked at Johns Hopkins for 40 years in various positions and most recently conducted research on ALS, (Lou Gehrig’s disease). While at Hopkins, Carol met coworkers who had come from all over the world and created friendships that would stay with her even after her retirement. She was the comic relief that was needed in a stressful environment as her coworkers tried to find a cure and treat patients with this debilitating disease. She retired in 2010.
Seven years ago, Carol and Frank decided to leave their family home and move closer to the beach. Carol loved her new home near Bethany Beach, which was intentionally large enough to house her kids and their families. Her friend group expanded once again, adding to it caring neighbors who would support her through her cancer treatments and take her out for lunch and cocktails by the ocean. Her home with Frank was always filled with music, friends, and food.
Nane, as she was called by her grandkids, was every child’s dream of a grandmother. She was a magnet that everyone was drawn to. She played games with them, helped with homework, cooked, and baked and always shared a story. Family traditions, such as Christmas cookie baking at her house, were the events that her family marked on their calendars year after year. She ensured her grandkids knew the proper ingredients for chicken marsala, how to make banana pudding, and how to bake bread. Her recipes were always fan favorites. Nane’s opinion mattered and her advice was often sought as her grandkids progressed through life. Nane to 7 was her identity and brought her a lot of pride.
For those who knew Carol, most would comment on her smile, friendly demeanor, and her ability to make people laugh. She had a way of making a boring story, more exciting by embellishing it, just a little. Some of her best stories included something her husband had done or said - Frank was her favorite subject. Carol also served as the family historian, remembering every detail of every moment she shared with Frank and her family.
Family and friends filled her house during her last few days to say goodbye to a gem of a human being.
A catholic Mass is being planned at Our Lady of the Chesapeake church, 8325 Ventnor Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122, on Friday, June 23 at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice https://www.delawarehospice.org/donate/memorial-gifts/ that provided excellent care to Carol and her family, or to the Johns Hopkins ALS Clinic, https://secure.jhu.edu/form/als.
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