Carolyn A. Kilmartin

84, of Greenville, RI, passed away on December 17, 2020 after a brief illness.  Born in Providence, RI, she was the beloved daughter of the late James W. and Vera I. (Miner) Kilmartin.

Carolyn is survived by her loving children, Lynn M. Vanasse (David) of Johnston, RI., James W. Tortolani (Lisa) of Johnston, RI., and Mark C. Tortolani (Iris) of Boynton Beach, FL.  She was the devoted grandmother of Kelli Tortolani, Kendra Tortolani, Andrew Davenport, Nathan Vanasse and Jamie Tortolani.  She delighted in her two great-grandchildren, Ashton and Layla Adamo.

She was the dearest sister to Maureen M. (Charles) Tanner of Cranston, RI and Vera E. (Anthony) Candelmo of East Greenwich, RI.  Carolyn dearly loved her four nieces and her nephew.  She also leaves many wonderful friends.

Carolyn was a graduate of St. Xavier Academy and then fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse.  She was a proud graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing.  After many years working in the hospital setting, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Rhode Island College and continued on to receive her Master of Education degree from Providence College and began a new chapter of life as a school nurse-teacher in the Johnston, RI School Department.

She was a founding member and past president of the Rhode Island School Nurse-Teachers Association as well as a founding member and officer of the Johnston Teachers Alliance.  Carolyn was a pioneer in writing and introducing a personal safety curriculum into the elementary schools in Johnston, one of the first in Rhode Island.

After a rewarding career, she spent many years in Naples, FL where she enjoyed the beauty of that Gulf-coast community and the company of many new friends.  Carolyn was an excellent Bridge player, participating in many Bridge groups in Naples.  She was a world traveler--especially enjoying her two extended visits to Ireland--celebrating her deep love of her Irish heritage.  She rarely missed a play at the Sugden Community Theatre or a concert at The Naples Philharmonic and  looked exquisite doing all of it because she had a beautiful sense of style.  Carolyn welcomed family and friends to visit Naples and delighted in   sharing her love of this coastal community.

Wanting to be closer to family, she returned to Rhode Island several years ago and enjoyed warm family times with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her sisters.

Private funeral service will be held in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to Special Olympics Rhode Island, 370 George Washington Highway, Smithfield, RI 02917 would be gratefully received.