Carole Carpenter Edison, overcame polio

Carole Carpenter Edison, 78, of Lewes, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2016, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. She was born Sunday, Feb. 20, 1938, in Washington, D.C., daughter of the late Chester and Virginia Carpenter.

When Carole was 4 years old, she contracted polio. After 24 orthopedic surgeries and extensive physical therapy, she was able to assume a full and active life. She was a graduate of Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md., and Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India. In 1961, she received her bachelor's degree in personnel management from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Md.

Carole served with the United States Public Health Service from 1961-96, working in Washington, D.C., the PHS Regional Offices in Chicago, Ill., and Kansas City, Mo. During her career she served with the Center for Health Statistics, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health as well as the Food and Drug Administration.

Carole's interests included swimming, dancing, poetry, playing bridge and traveling. Overcoming her physical difficulties, Carole was a cheerful person who treated all with a warm smile and big heart. Carole was loved by everyone she met.

In addition to her parents, Carole was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin L. Edison in 2013. She is survived by her sister, Judith L. Carpenter of Lewes; her brother, Gary Pendleton Carpenter and his wife Ann Peale Carpenter of Williamsburg, Va.; and her former husband, David L. Smith of Baltimore, Md.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, at Cadbury Senior Lifestyles, Lewes, 17028 Cadbury Circle, Lewes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Please visit Carole's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.