1943 - 2026
Born on October 8, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Richard P. and Elizabeth (Gardner) Hooker. Carol shared 60 years of marriage with her beloved husband, David J. Conrad, Sr., a partnership built on love, adventure, and unwavering support.
She is survived by her husband David; her children, Jennifer Conrad (Bryan House) of Upton, David Conrad, Jr. (Sharon Golden) of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Elizabeth Conrad McLaughlin (Chris) of Sharon; and her six cherished grandchildren, Kellen and Bennett House, Sierra and Jace Conrad, and Conrad and Kate McLaughlin. She was predeceased by her infant daughter in 1967. Her nephew, Christopher Costello of Atlantic City, held a special place in her heart and provided loving support in her final months.
Carol grew up in Holyoke and graduated from South Hadley High School in 1961. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Keuka College in 1965 and began her career at Atlantic City Hospital. While raising her family in Westfield and later Upton, she continued her work in nursing, including roles at Holyoke Hospital and the Holyoke Visiting Nurse Association.
Her career evolved into leadership in home health care, serving as Executive Director of Hampshire County VNA & Homecare in Northampton, and later as a national consultant with Simeone & Simeone in Framingham. She also earned a Master’s degree in Education from Cambridge College.
Carol had a deep love of travel and explored 48 states and many countries alongside her husband. Still, her favorite place remained Little Compton, Rhode Island, where she spent summers throughout her life and created lasting family traditions.
A lifelong learner and creator, Carol was known as the “original Martha Stewart” by her family. She enjoyed gardening, restoring her antique home, quilting, sewing, canning, and embracing new technology long before it became commonplace. She was also an avid reader and a devoted animal lover, especially of rescue pets.
Above all, Carol’s greatest joy was her family. She was deeply involved in her grandchildren’s lives, attending their games, performances, and milestones, and sharing many adventures together across the country.
She will be remembered for her strength, creativity, warmth, and the deep love she shared with everyone around her. Her family and friends will forever cherish her memory—raising a glass in her honor, just as she enjoyed doing at the end of each day while listening to music by John Denver and Jimmy Buffett.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the United Congregational Church of Little Compton, 1 Commons, Little Compton, Rhode Island. The service will also be livestreamed, with details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton, 500 Legacy Farms North, Hopkinton, MA 01748 or at www.baypathhumane.org.
Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the ICU staff at Milford Regional Medical Center and the team at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center for their compassionate care in her final days.
