Obituary of Carol Lou Stinnett

Carol L. Stinnett, age 87, of Tupper Lake, passed away on January 9th, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Calling hours will be at Frary Funeral Home, 24 Cliff Avenue, Tupper Lake NY on January 25th, 2020 beginning at 10:00am with a ceremony led by Carol’s cousin, Rev. Joy Lowenthal beginning at 11:30am. Carol is survived by her husband, Thomas Stinnett; her three children, Susanna Stinnett, of Rockfall, CT, Thomas Stinnett and his wife, Victoria, of Westminster, MD, and Scott Stinnett and his wife, Kelly, of Woodstock, MD; seven grandchildren, Justin Stinnett and his wife, Michelle, Lindsy Fortier and her husband, Adam, Thomas Hays Stinnett, Megan Stinnett, Luke Stinnett, Audrey Stinnett and Lilliana Stinnett; four great-grandchildren, Chloe and Joshua Stinnett, Ella and Mason Fortier. She is predeceased by her son Marc Stinnett. Carol was born on December 31, 1932, in Utica, NY, the daughter of Arthur and Margaret Bass Curtis. She was the loving older sister of Nancy Schultz (Whitey), Lynda Hamilton (Brian), and Bruce Curtis (Louise). She attended Rome Free Academy where she met Tom and graduated from Whitesboro High School in 1951. She married Thomas Stinnett on June 27, 1952 at the Vernon Methodist Church with her Uncle, Rev. Leonard Bass officiating. Carol and Tom met when Carol was 15 and he was 16; they were a devoted couple for 71 years. Carol attended Notre Dame College of Maryland from 1984 and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor Degree with Honors in Fine Arts and Photography. With a great love for nature, she devoted her photographic and gardening talents to natural beauty. She crafted gardens and landscapes everywhere she lived. For many years, she and Tom planted, pruned and watered flower pots along the main streets in Tupper Lake for all to enjoy. Carol's photography focused on intimate format landscapes and upon retiring to Tupper Lake in 1995, she and Tom could be found canoeing, hiking and exploring for that perfect shot. Tom complemented her photography with printing, matting and custom frame craftsmanship. Her photography was displayed across the Adirondacks including the Wild Center, Lake Placid Center for the Arts and the Goff-Nelson Memorial Library. “Upon relocating to the Adirondacks, I experienced every day the myriad of colors, shadows, and changes of the seasons. Each day seem to be more beautiful and colorful to my eyes. I didn’t need to go far to become entranced by the wonderful “sweet light” at early morning or sunset. This light seems to be only encountered in the North Country.” -- Carol Stinnett Carol volunteered for numerous organizations including Meals on Wheels for over 15 years and the TLC Group which taught seniors exercise and gardening. In 2001, Carol received the Renaissance Award for the beautification projects started by the TLC Group. She also served on the board of the Tupper Lake Library and interviewed Tupper Lake native’s stories, recording them on CD’s for the community to view at the library. Carol received the Senior Citizen of the Year Award by the Franklin County Office of the Aging on June 4th, 2011. Carol has always been a beloved blessing to her family and friends -- ever-present and ever-kind. Our family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care and dedicated services provided by High Peaks Hospice. Donations in Carol’s memory can be made to High Peaks Hospice.