HAMPSTEAD — Carol Lee Chanowsky, 91, a Hampstead resident since 1991 passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025 with her family by her side.
Born July 14, 1933 Carol was the daughter of the late John Rankin and Opal Croghan. Although born in Jefferson City, MO she spent most of her years growing up on the “Last Frontier” in Anchorage, Alaska. At age 6, work brought her dad there and they moved to what was then called the Territory of Alaska. The family moved back stateside when Carol was in 7th grade and returned to Alaska in her junior year and went on to graduate from Anchorage High School. Completing one year of college stateside she returned to Anchorage for the summer planning to return to college in the fall. But it was at a dance for military stationed in Anchorage that she met her future husband Andrew (Andy) who was in the army. By end of summer 1953 they were married. Once discharged they moved to his hometown in Bronx NY. It was there where their first child, Brian, was born.
After Brian’s birth, Andy took a job opportunity in Alaska so they pulled up stakes and moved back for 3 years before returning and putting down roots in Shrub Oak, NY. They added a daughter, Lisa and another son, Devin to their family.
While living in NY, in addition to raising a family, Carol worked as a key punch operator for Readers Digest for many years. After leaving Readers Digest she was a school bus driver, a computer operator and office manager at Grand Union and then a realtor. Her passion was singing and she sang at her church choir in NY and was a member of the Westchester Hills chapter of Sweet Adelines.
Carol and Andy moved to Topsail Greens in 1991 to semi-retire and play golf. She was a realtor part time in Hampstead for many years working for JL Morris Realty.
Carol was a member of Topsail Presbyterian Church since 1991, sang with the choir and played hand bells. She was a member of The Music of Yesteryear and also sang at New Hanover Regional Medical Center with The Therapeutics weekly for the patients. She was a volunteer with the American Red Cross running several blood drives and helped with disaster relief, and made blankets for Project Linus.
She was also a member of the Topsail Greens Book Club and involved in many other activities within the community. Carol was an excellent baker and loved to share, whether hosting a gathering, going for a visit, or attending an affair there would always be a tasty dessert or two from her.
Carol was predeceased by her husband Andy and her loyal cat Sunshine. She is survived by her children, Brian Chanowsky, Lisa Ruvo and Devin Chanowsky and their spouses, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank her amazing caregiver Michelle for the care and devotion she gave to mom during these last few years.
Also thank you to the Woodbury Wellness Center and Gentiva Hospice. She died peacefully and pain free because of the kind and gentle care they gave her. This was a great comfort to her family.
There will be a memorial service on July 24th 11am at Andrews Mortuary, Hampstead.
