Carole Whitfield

Carole Anne Whitifield, of Mattapan, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5th at 8:15 AM at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from an unexpected and short term battle of Uterine Cancer. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 2, 1955, Carole was adopted as an infant by Frederick Douglass Whitfield Sr. (St. Petersburg, Florida) and Essie Mae Whitfield (Orlando, Florida). Carole went to elementary (John Winthrop), junior high (Woodrow Wilson), and high school (Dorchester High) within the Boston Public School system. Ever since Carole was a little girl, she always had a love for teaching. It was common for Carole to “play school” with her dolls and with children at church and children in her neighborhood. At the age of 16, Carole started teaching Sunday School at Bethlehem Healing Temple (Roxbury), and after graduating from high school she attended Wheelock College. In 1976 she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Education. Upon graduating, Carole started substituting in the Boston Public School system at the age of 21, and within a few years became a full time first grade teacher. Carole spent 34 years teaching first grade at the David A. Ellis Elementary School (Roxbury). She retired in 2015 at the age of 61. 

Besides being known for her superb teaching abilities, Carole was also known for her seamstress skills, her love for gardening, reading, and traveling. Carole has traveled to the majority of the States, and visited countries such as Morocco, Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Holland, Norway, Spain, France, Aruba, Brazil, Italy, and several other countries. She spent her last few weeks on earth reminiscing about her traveling adventures. She was a loyal member of Faithful Church of Christ (Dorchester) for 22 years, and some of her roles in church included being a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Choir Director, and Baptism Worker. She was loved tremendously by her students, family, church family, and friends. 

Carole is survived by her two children, Matthew and Heidi Thomas, her brother, Frederick D. Whitfield Jr., a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Before Carole passed, she requested that there not be a funeral or any type of memorial service held for her. Her children hosted a private graveside burial on September 9th.  

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