Carol Jean Toomey
Born February 1, 1933 in Jersey City, New JerseyDeparted March 28, 2022 in Melbourne, Florida
Carol Jean Toomey, age 89, was peacefully called into her eternal reward on Monday afternoon March 28, 2022, at her home in Melbourne, Florida. As a full-time mother and homemaker, she is often lovingly compared to the classic TV moms of the late 60’s and 70’s – June Cleaver and Carol Brady. She made available a safe and loving place for the neighborhood and school friends of her own four children and all were welcome to hang out, shoot hoops, do some occasional homework, drink lots of lemonade, iced tea and of course, stay for dinner.
Born in Jersey City, NJ on February 1,1933, Carol was the eldest child of Charles Anton and Clara (Claire) Gertrude Heins. She graduated from Freehold High School and then moved to Union City, NJ to live with her grandparents, working in the family’s German Deli. She attended night classes at NYU, which helped her secure her first job outside of the family business with the Ford Motor Company in the inventory control and import/export department.
In 1953, Carol met her future husband Jeremiah (Jerry) Bernard Toomey on a blind date set up by one of her NYU classmates who was dating Jerry’s brother. Overcoming substantial (for the times) differences: geographical (NJ vs NYC), ethnic (German vs. Irish), spirituality (Catholic vs. Non-Catholic), and cultural (drinking beer vs 7&7), the couple’s relationship blossomed into a storybook love affair that lasted nearly 67 years.
Carol, Jerry and their two oldest sons moved to Melbourne, Florida in 1960 to join the great “Space Race” – a career opportunity of a lifetime that would become a lifelong passion for the entire family. Other than the six years they spent in Miami Lakes (during the Miami Dolphins notorious reign in the early 70’s), Carol’s Florida life has been in Melbourne, spending a total of 58 years here. As a Domestic Engineer, Carol kept all the balls in the air managing the lives and schedules of two adults and four very active kids. She rode shotgun on homework and school assignments, delivered a well-balanced (and tasty) dinner every night. She also got to know all of her kids’ friends, organized carpools shuttling them to and from every sport practice imaginable and never missing a game, and somehow found time for bowling and playing bridge with her own friends. Carol was the epitome of efficiency, organization, and scheduling!
Carol volunteered in many capacities such as a Melbourne Hospital Pink Lady, Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) Catholic School Grey Lady (nurse), and an OLL and University Park Elementary School substitute teacher. She and Jerry were in the first group of Eucharistic Ministers at OLL, a role she treasured. When the last of her kids left for college, she re-entered the private sector as a Bridal Consultant with the Edward Macy Brenner Bridal Shop, however, that career ended when Jerry retired, and they began a life of travel and adventure. Together they traveled to 67 Countries, sometimes on their own, sometimes with long time Melbourne friends, and sometimes with their kids. They hiked mountains, rode “rocket boats” and white-water rafts, zip lined over forest canopies, explored ancient cities and glaciers, learned to Tango, and tasted exquisite wine and fine food from all over the world. Wherever they went, new friendships were made and maintained, as evidenced by their immense international Christmas Card list!
Some of Carol’s favorite memories were summers spent at Callaway Gardens, GA with many of their lifelong friends and families from Melbourne and Miami Lakes. The two day car ride caravans, the two room cabins with no phones and one bathroom, porch parties, water skiing, water volleyball, and taking their lives into their hands learning how to do all of the FSU Flying High Circus acts such as: the bicycle-built-for-5, juggling, the high wire, the spanish web, and even the flying trapeze! Another highlight was meeting the horse named Secretariat at the Hialeah Racetrack in Hialeah, FL.
Carol is survived by her one and only husband and life partner Jerry, and their four loving children: Stephen (Kathryn) Toomey, Raymond (Debra) Toomey, Trisha (Matt) Rogers, and Kenneth (Carlene) Toomey. Together, they have provided her with 10 amazing grandchildren: Jared (Katie) Toomey, John (Christine) Toomey, Neal Toomey, Shannon (Aaron) Simpson, Christopher (Meghan) Rogers, Meredith (Scott) Gray, Dru (Cristina) Merry, Jud Merry, Stephanie (Sean) Baker and Michael (Katy) King. Her grandchildren have in turn, provided her with 11 great-grandchildren with another baby due in July 2022, making a total of 12 great-grandchildren, which includes one that will carry on the Toomey legacy – 14-month-old Sutton Raine Toomey (John and Christine). Carol is blessed with seven nieces and nephews and 14 grand nieces and nephews. Her sister, Althea Lombard, resides in Pompano Beach and always looked forward to spending time with her big sister. Carol was pre-deceased by her parents, Charles Anton and Clara (Claire) Gertrude (we all called her Gram) Heins.
Visitation will be held at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne, FL on Sunday, April 3 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm with a rosary service at 5:30 pm. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne, FL on Monday, April 4, 2022, at 11:00 am. Father Michael Farrell will preside at all services. Interment will be at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Carol Toomey’s name be made to
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
℅ Donna Witherspoon – Principal
420 Fee Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
OR
Melbourne Central Catholic High School
℅ Nick Regina – President
154 East Florida Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901