Worcester - Carole Ann (Flynn) DiStefano Coakley, 75, passed away peacefully at home, Friday, August 29, 2014, with family by her side. She was the widow of Robert J. Coakley. She leaves 3 sons and 2 daughters: Jerilyn Frances Ward and her husband, Michael, of Maine; Mathew Robert DiStefano of Worcester; Mark Salvatore DiStefano of Auburn and daughter-in-law Nancy of Millbury; John Joe DiStefano of Worcester; and Seanna Marie DiStefano and her partner, Bobbie-Jo Janda, of Worcester; brother, Daniel Flynn and his wife, Cindy, of Westminster; 2 sisters-in-law, Carol (Mrs. Jeremiah) Flynn of Worcester and Carol (Mrs. Dennis) Flynn of Oxford; 9 grandchildren, Brandon, Lucas, Ayla, Travis, Ethan, Samantha, Anthony, Dominic, and Sophia; and many close friends and extended family. She also leaves her beloved Miniature Poodle, Olivia "Livi," and her cat, Miss Minerva. She was predeceased by her sister, Joyce Flynn and 2 brothers, Jeremiah and Dennis Flynn.
She was born in Worcester, daughter of Frances I. (Haley) and Jeremiah T. Flynn and was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. Carole worked at Quinsigamond Community College in the Payroll Department and was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church. She was very proud of being a 13-year breast cancer survivor. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. She so enjoyed sending personal messages via greeting cards to those she loved.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester. Calling hours will be held from 4-7pm followed by the service in the funeral home at 7pm. Donations may be made to UMass Memorial Foundation, "Oncology" PO Box 2795 Worcester MA 01613-9938. To leave a message in the online guestbook, please click link below.