Obituary of Carol Gothberg

WATERBURY- Carol Lorraine Gothberg age 77 passed away on March 8, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital Waterbury, Ct due to complications from a sudden medical condition developed after a ruptured appendix a few months earlier. She was comforted with family at her side and passed within a minute after one last hand in hand prayer circle with the hospital priest. Carol was the daughter of the late Verner E. and Clara J. Gustafson and wife of the late John M. Gothberg for 35 years. Born December 17, 1936 she graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1954, North Park College in Chicago, Ill in 1956 majoring in Theology and Southern Ct State College in new Haven, Ct in 1960 with a master degree in Early Childhood Education in 1966. Carol taught kindergarten and first grade for over 26 years between the Norton School in Cheshire, Ct and Bethlehem School in Bethlehem, Ct. She was adored by her students and their parents as a loving and caring teacher. She got good reviews from the Regional School District #14, retiring early in 1987. Carol was a devoted Christian. She asked special permission to say "God Bless You" to her customers at the Southbury Pharmacy where she worked for 4 years. She wrote many Christian prayers and poems and several children's stories but, never had them published. However she was proud to receive a thank-you note from President Dwight D. Eisenhower's office thanking Carol for 2 poems she wrote to him congratulating him on his election. In the past Carol was a member of the Hillside Covenant Church-Naugatuck, Ct. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church-Naugatuck, Ct and visited regularly for several years by the ministry. The Family thanks them for keeping Carol in their prayer chain. Family also thanks retired Father Bill Malave-St. Margaret's Church, ministry from First Lutheran Church-both of Waterbury, Ct who visited Carol and any names and ministries not known or remembered. Over the years Carol loved to read, go to tag sales, watch Animal Planet and TV Ministries. Proud of her Swedish heritage; she traveled there twice. Having no children she loved and rescued her cat "Teddy". She was attached to Cabbage Patch doll, "John Kevin". She collected teddy bears; 75 at one time lined her couch that no one else was allowed to sit on, 25 bears made it to a photo while Carol lived in her Naugatuck home. She collected another 75 bears while residing for several years at Carriage Manor and The Mattatuck Health Care Center of Waterbury, Ct where she was well liked by staff. The family thanks the wonderful caring staff that attended to Carol's medical needs especially after being bound to a wheelchair. Thank-you to the patients who befriended Carol (especially those protective of Carol and her belongings) and those who shared their Christian faith and helpful friends in time of need. Carol is survived by one sister, Violet M. Porto, one niece Marilyn D. Westerfield and her fiance Michael C. Hitchcock of Naugatuck, 2 nephews Brian R. Westerfield of Naugatuck and Brent E. Westerfield of Waterbury, and 2 great nieces Diana M. Green of Naugatuck and Kimberly Valdes of Miramar, Florida and predeceased by one brother Verner E. Gustafson. In lieu of flowers, with our respect to Carol's life and dignity, family is asking anyone interested, to donate to Salem Lutheran Church 14 Salem St. Naugatuck, Ct., First Lutheran Church 88 Cooke St. in Waterbury, Ct. and or to the Recreational Department of Mattatuck Health Care Center 9 Cliff St. Waterbury Ct. ARRANGEMENTS- A Memorial Service will be held at Salem Lutheran Church 14 Salem St. Naugatuck, Ct. on Sunday March 16, 2014 at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Grove Cemetery in Naugatuck at a later date. There are no calling hours. The Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck is assisting with the arrangements.