Carol DeSarno

Caroline Andres Ebel DeSarno

72, of Hector, NY, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 10, 2023. She was born on August 29, 1950 in Manhattan to Patricia Hall Ebel and Lawrence Ebel. Carol grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson New York and graduated from Hastings High School in 1968. She attended Corning Community College where she met the love of her life, Quentin Louis DeSarno. They married on March 13, 1969 in Watkins Glen. They made their home in Hector, New York and joined a very close community of friends and family nearby. Carol and Lou raised two sons, Alexander Carmen and Emerson Daniel. Carol was an extremely productive, creative, and energetic woman. Over the years, she owned and operated three small local businesses: Charlotte’s Web, Norma’s Fabrics, and The Tofu Lady. She was also employed by Cornell University’s School of Human Ecology in Ithaca, New York and BUSCA Books in Hector, New York. 

Her most outstanding work was raising her boys on “Mother Seneca” teaching the wonders of nature... how to swim, sail, kayak, ski, bike, hike, garden, cook, and bake. Most importantly, she stressed reading, writing, music, art, and how to be kind to the Earth, and all living things. No matter what life threw at her, she would power through it with grace and spiritual strength. Carol was a “cool chick” who smoked a corncob pipe back in the day and drove a motorcycle. She loved to read, write, paint, take photos, ride horses, garden, cook, and bake, and would share all she could with others.  When she wanted to learn something, she would figure it out and stayed open and adventurous always.  Most of all, her “soul would sing” in Nature; it was by far her happiest place to be. She was also a very strong supporter and participant at the Wisdom’s Goldenrod Center for Philosophic studies, in Hector, NY, since 1972.

Carol is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Quentin Louis DeSarno, son Emerson Daniel, siblings Camilla, Constance, and Lawrence Ebel, in-laws Phyllisa DeSarno (Peter Widynski), William DeSarno, and Yvonne Overbeck, 8 nieces, 6 nephews, and several great nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her son Alexander Carmen and her parents. 

There were so many things about this woman that made her a “Best Friend” to her family, her friends, and anyone looking for kindness. She had a calm demeanor and her voice was warm and soothing. Even now, Carol has a light that radiates through her loving circle of dear friends. An Earth Angel has earned her WINGS! Fly high our sweet Caroline! 

Donations in her memory may be made to Schuyler Humane Society; Seneca Lake Pure Waters; or Wisdom’s Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies.  Arrangements with Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, Watkins Glen.