Carol A. (O'Brien) Tang

Hearts were shattered on January 15, 2025, when God wrapped his love around Carol and took her to her heavenly home, leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth, and kindness. Carol was born December 8, 1934, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Carol was effervescent and exuded joy, like walking, talking sunshine! And oh, that smile! She lived her life with gratitude maintaining an innocence and excitement for everything throughout her life. She always had a kind word, thoughtful advice, and a generous and charitable heart. She was lovely. She lived a purposeful, impactful, meaningful life. She was completely selfless. She made a difference.

Carol enjoyed a very happy childhood with her loving parents, James and Mary O'Brien, and twin brothers John and Jimmy. She loved to share stories of their close-knit family activities while living in Cape Cod, and then Hyde Park, Massachusetts where her cute Bostonian accent flourished. Carol vividly recalled fun-filled days biking, hiking, ice skating, skiing, attending Saturday double matinees, countless outings with her friends, and special family vacations at Newfound Lake, NH.

Carol attended Catholic school which reinforced her strong Christian upbringing and values. Upon graduation from St. Gregory's High School, where she contemplated becoming a nun, she landed her dream job as a bacteriology technician at Boston City Hospital which she absolutely loved. While working full-time, she attended night school at Boston College to pursue a degree in bacteriology.

All this changed one evening in December of 1955 when she attended a U.S.O. dance with a friend where she met her future husband, Ken, a U.S. Navy Seaman. They would soon marry, move to Key West FL (the first of numerous military transfers) and start their family of eight children.

At the young age of 25, upon the birth of her third child, Kenny, Carol was confronted with his devastating diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis. In the future, she would learn two more of her children, Christine and Kendra, would also be diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Carol credited her steadfast faith in God in caring for and ultimately handling the loss of each of her three beautiful children.

Carol had an amazing spirit and while caring for her sick children, she was determined to provide all her children with the best life possible and shelter them from too much sadness. She took them to church and Catechism classes every week, ensured each received their First Holy Communion and Confirmation, enrolled them in Scouts, encouraged and supported all school activities, and planned awesome family events and vacations. She made birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas, absolutely spectacular from phenomenal decorations to heartwarming traditions! She took cake decorating classes so she could create unique cakes for each birthday. She put a special sparkle of love into everything, and of course there was always glitter!

Carol's faith was the center of her life. She became the first female Eucharistic minister at Mayport Naval Base Catholic Church. She was the director of the altar servers and championed for girls to be servers. She also taught weekly Catechism classes.

Carol was an avid swimmer and earned her Red Cross swim instructor certification and went on to become the director of the swimming program at Mayport Naval Base. She loved the water and enjoyed swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and white-water rafting.

Upon her husband Ken's military retirement and move from military housing, Carol fell in love with a dilapidated, historic house and had the vision to make it a home. While many doubted her, true to Carol's tenacity and grit, along with her husband, her vision became a reality resulting in a beautiful estate, their little slice of paradise, where countless good times were shared and cherished memories made.

Carol always made time to give back to the community. She served as troop mother for Boy Scout Troop 324 for several years when her husband was scoutmaster. She spoiled these young men and kept them safe while creating treasured memories during many outings including frequent canoe trips on the Suwannee River.

Somehow Carol also made time to work full-time as a bookkeeper at several local banks. She retired early from Ocean State Bank to devote her time to her parents when she moved them in to care for them in their later years.

Carol's greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. You could find her in the kitchen cooking a meal or preparing for a barbecue or making cookies. She loved family get togethers at her backyard pool where many celebrations were held and wonderful times enjoyed. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought her endless happiness. She was the true matriarch of her family, the glue that held everyone together.

In her retirement years, Carol enjoyed trips to the North Carolina mountains, Lake Burton, GA, and awesome cruises to Alaska and Hawaii. She enjoyed relaxing and reading the newspaper surrounded by her rescue kitties, Holly and Decky, who rarely left her side. She loved sitting in the sunshine by the pool or on the deck especially when family visited. She could often be found tending to her plethora of beautiful flowers and plants. What a green thumb she had! Nothing made Carol happier than the beach which soothed her soul. After her children were grown, for 10 years, Carol walked the beach daily at sunrise for 2 to 3 miles, as she would say, "to lose her mind and find her soul".

Carol wore the prettiest, colorful outfits, always with matching jewelry. Every day she wore a special pin coordinated with the time of year, or holiday, or a remembrance. Always with unique style and flair, a touch of sparkle, radiating sunshine, she was certainly the best dressed any day and a joy to see! Anyone who knew Carol most likely received a beautiful handwritten note or sweet card which unexpectedly arrived in the mail, adorned with stickers of course! There was no limit to her thoughtfulness, compassion, and interest in others' lives. Carol was truly a unique and beautiful spirit.

"Well done my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Carol was predeceased by three of her children, Kenny (7 months), Christine (13 years), and Kendra (4 months); and her great-grandson, Gavin (23 years).

Left to cherish Carol's memory are her husband of 67 years, Kenneth Tang; four daughters, Cherie Tang, Kara Chalmers, Cynthia Carter-Ross, and Katherine Tang-Wilcox; one son, Christopher (Barbara) Tang; five grandchildren, Zachary, Chrystal, Dawn, Hayden, and Kendra; four great-grandchildren, Michael, Nathan, Gage, and Kendra; and nephew, Jay (Laura) O'Brien.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Carol's private nurse, Lindsey Poole, for her compassionate care and guidance throughout her illness, and to Dr. Jose Tamayo, MD for his many years of exceptional care.

Visitation and viewing took place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at, 1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL.

A funeral mass was held Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at St Paul's Catholic Church, 523 Pablo Ave, Jacksonville Beach, FL. Graveside services will follow at H. Warren Smith Cemetery, Jacksonville Beach, FL.

Those who attended Carol's service, please wore colorful attire to honor her cheerful spirit.

Please consider a contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a cause that was dear to Carol's heart, and a wonderful way to honor her.