Carol (Mullaney) Bailey, a longtime resident of Southborough, passed away Monday, February 7, 2022 at the age of 78, at Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was the beloved wife of Paul R. Bailey. Carol bravely and gracefully battled the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, while never losing her spirit and good nature.
The second of five children to James and Elizabeth (Pfreundner) Mullaney, Carol was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, New York. After graduating from St. Peter’s High School there, she matriculated to St. Peter’s School of Nursing in Albany, New York. Upon graduating with a degree in nursing, Carol and a cohort of friends moved to Boston for the job prospects in its medical community. Soon after moving to Boston, she worked as a nurse for the Boston Red Sox and was along for the thrilling ride of the 1967 pennant winning season. At this time she began employment with the American Red Cross, where she worked for close to 35 years. In the Donor Services division, she staffed countless blood drives across Worcester County, drawing blood and platelets from donors to be used in life saving medical procedures.
It was also around this time she met her husband, Paul Bailey of Needham, MA. They married on the day of the moon landing, July 19th 1969. Thus commenced a loving friendship and marriage of 52 years. Carol and Paul settled in Southborough and raised their four children. They were active members of the community, whether it be as parishioners of St. Anne’s parish, or active members of the Gourmet Club and Catholic Women’s club.
Carol loved spending time in her gardens, planting and transferring flowers to maximize their potential. When you visited their house on a nice day, Carol would likely be outside with a trowel and wheelbarrow. This spring we will see again her peonies bloom up and around the backyard patio.
She was an avid reader, reading each issue of the New Yorker front to back. Here she discovered her favorite author, the short story writer Alice Munro.
The focal point of Carol’s life was the energy she gave her family, encouraging them in their pursuits, using her gentle hand and the power of suggestion to point them in the right direction in life. Her love extended to her brothers and sisters, parents, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends. Her sunny disposition, insightful perspectives, and positive outlook will be missed by all as we carry her memory forward
Besides her husband, Carol is survived by her sons, Tony Bailey and his wife Amy, of Andover; David Bailey and his girlfriend Claudia Poleti-Kane, of Southborough, her daughters, Margaret Bailey of Southborough; Anne Colkitt and her husband Ryan, of Southborough; her brother, Michael Mullaney and his wife Jovi, of Moore, SC; her sister, Margaret Kohn of Albany, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Charlotte, James, Caroline and Christian. She is predeceased by her brother, James Mullaney and her sister, Anne Kiley.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough, MA 01772. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Anne Church, 20 Boston Rd., Southborough. Burial will follow at Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Rd., Southborough.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross at redcross.org.
To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit www.morrisSouthboroughfuneral.com
(Obituary and photo via Morris Funeral Home)
