Worcester – Carol A. (Frost) Hakenson, 88, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, at the Jewish Healthcare Center on Salisbury Street in Worcester, MA, where she had resided since 2012. She was surrounded by her loving family, JHCC friends, nursing staff, and the JHC Hospice Team.
Her loving and devoted husband, Richard, predeceased her on November 1, 2022. They were married for 67 years. Carol’s sister, Norma (Frost) Roberts, predeceased her in 2005. Carol was born in Worcester to Ernest and Eleanor (Connolly) Frost. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Worcester. Carol worked for many years at Woodbury and Company as an engraver and at Allegro MicroSystems as a technician before her retirement.
Carol leaves her seven children: Sheila M. Loughnane and husband Bernard; Richard T. Hakenson, Jr. and wife Tricia of FL; Amanda Calderón and husband Victor; Michael Hakenson and Gay Gardner; Chrys Hakenson and wife Joanne of VA; Robin Hakenson and her lifetime partner, Douglas Shogren, of Spencer; and Erik Hakenson of Everett.
Carol also leaves her 16 grandchildren: Alexander and Grant Lucas; Richard and Donald Hakenson; Chrislyn Hakenson; Jessica Holmes; Alicia, Ana, and Alex Calderón; Aaron and Andrew Hakenson; Seth Hollyer (who predeceased her in 2003); Cassandra Bittner; Dana Mangsen; and Matthew and Allyson Shogren. Carol also leaves many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and a newborn great-great-great-grandson, as well as nieces, cousins, and friends.
Carol’s children remember with love and appreciation that she welcomed every kid in the neighborhood into their home. She eventually became the caregiver to every dog, cat, rabbit, hamster, and any other animal that her kids brought home and promised to take responsibility for themselves. She was often nervous that, when asked to “close her eyes and open her hands,” she’d receive a frog, worm, or other critter from one of her kids – although it was usually just a dandelion. The important part is that she kept on opening her hands and accepting whatever was deposited there, showing us all, time and again, that we could always come to her with whatever we had to share.
Upon retirement, she looked forward to getaways to North Conway and Pittsburg, NH, with her husband and best friend, Richard.
Her beauty, smile, and warm hugs will be missed forever by all her family and friends.
A calling hour will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Saint Bernard Catholic Church, Our Lady of Providence Parish, 228 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA. A funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. For directions or to leave condolence messages, please click guestbook link.