Violet Loriel DeCaro passed away peacefully at her home in Rye on April 24, 2017. She was 94.
Born February 1, 1923 in the Bronx, Violet was the daughter of Flora and John Lewis.
During World War II, she worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and it was there that she met her future father-in-law, Nicholas DeCaro, who made sure to introduce Violet to his son, Thomas, when he returned to New York in 1945 after serving his country. Thomas and Violet were married on December 23, 1945.
The couple first settled in Mount Vernon, and then moved to Rye Beach Avenue in Rye in 1966.
Active in in the Rye community, Mrs. DeCaro was a member of American Yacht Club, the Ladies Auxiliary, the Friends of Rye Town Park, and Rye Seniors. She was also an accomplished seamstress and quilter. Never one to shy away from hard work, she could always be found with a paintbrush or power tool in hand, ready to tackle the next project around the house. She enjoyed walking in Rye Town Park across the street from her home and spending time at Rye Beach.
Her family lovingly described her as an impassioned woman, “who always told it like it was.” Her husband Tom said that it was her unwavering encouragement that pushed him through both engineering and law school when he wanted to quit.
Married for 72 wonderful years, Violet and Tom were quite the pair. They enjoyed traveling in their motor home in their later years. Fortunate to have their three children settle with their families in Rye (all within walking distance), they were active in their grandchildren’s lives and hosted weekly Sunday night dinners at their home.
In addition to her husband, the Honorable Thomas G. DeCaro, she is survived by her children: Tom (Faye) DeCaro of Greenwich, Lori DeCaro of Rye, and Phil (Leah) DeCaro of Rye; her sisters, Patricia Trumm of Rye and Connie Ryan of Kinderhook, N.Y.; and ten grandchildren; Kristin Rodriguez, Peter Junggren, Andrew Junggren, Stephen Burkly, Lauren DeCaro, Chelsea DeCaro, Carson DeCaro, Callie DeCaro, Molly DeCaro, and Thomas DeCaro. She was predeceased by her siblings, John Lewis, Charles Lewis, and Mary Brown.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date.
