Caroline L. Washburn, 78 of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on March 15, 2025, at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. Born in Wilkes Barre, PA, she was the daughter of the late Carolyn (Boback) Obaza and the late Paul Nebesky.
Caroline moved to the Niagara Falls area with her parents at the age of 7. She was a graduate of LaSalle Sr. High School and later earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Empire State College. On June 15, 1991, she married David C. Washburn. Mr. Washburn predeceased her on June 1, 2016.
Caroline started out as a switchboard operator for Wendt’s Dairy on Buffalo Avenue in 1965, which lead to her being hired at New York Telephone Company in 1966, where she retired from in 1998. She went on to work for her daughter, Caroline, as a Medical Transcriptionist for 13 years. Thereafter, she became the coordinator for Ministry to the Homebound at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish. This was the job she loved the most, working for God.
Caroline was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society since 1990, where she helped to run the retail store, and was awarded the Ozanam Medal in 2006. She was a member of the Holy Family Altar and Rosary Society and Parish Council President. She served as a member of the Music Ministry from 1985 to 2012, and played guitar since 1985. Caroline also earned her Pilot’s License in July of 1978, which is something she was very proud of.
In Caroline’s words: “Do not weep for me. Please remember the good things about our relationship. It matters not what I did on this Earth, except to live as Jesus wanted. The most important thing we can do is to love and care for one another, be kind to all, and demonstrate to all, your love for God and your desire to be with him for eternity.”
Caroline is survived by her children, Michelle Hughes, Dawn Super, Caroline (Terry) Brown, Melinda (Scott) Brydges, and step-son, Terrence (Cheryl) Vollmer; her grandchildren, Rebecca Tidwell, Alexis Tulman, Zachary Tulman, Leon Brown, Nicholas Tulman, Katherine Hughes, and Alexis Brydges; her half-brother, David (Kathleen) Obaza, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her husband of 25 years, she was sadly predeceased by her grandson, Michael Tidwell.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20 from 3 – 7 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY, where funeral services will begin on Friday at 9:45 AM followed by Caroline’s Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 27th Street and Independence Ave. Niagara Falls. Entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to Heart, Love and Soul Food Pantry, https://heartloveandsoul.org/. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.
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Visitation
Thursday, March 20, 2025
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel
2730 Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
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Funeral Service
Friday, March 21, 2025
9:45 AM
M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel
2730 Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Get Directions on Google Maps
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, March 21, 2025
10:30 AM
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
27th Street and Independence Ave
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Get Directions on Google Maps