Carole Ann Tegnander (nee Ramsey) died at her "home on the Lake" on Friday, February 17,2006 following a long and courageous battle against ovarian cancer. She was 60 years old.
The daughter of the late Frank "Jack" and Marguerite Ramsey, she was born January 29, 1946 and raised in Valley Stream. There she met and married her husband, Richard J. Tegnander. They continued to live and work on Long Island until 2002 when, after retiring, they moved to Rock Hill to be closer to their son and his family.
A family statement said, “People who knew Carole saw she had an easy smile, was always up beat regardless of the pain she endured from two crushing illnesses. She lived her life by the motto, ‘NEVER QUIT.’
In 1990, after 10 years of undiagnosed suffering, she was found to have late stage Lyme Disease. She found the strength to co-found the Long Island Lyme Association (LILA). She helped run support groups meetings, gave educational seminars, and even testified before the U.S. Senate Health Commission in Washington D.C. and various NYS committees to help raise awareness of Lyme Disease. She was compassionate toward those with Lyme and a staunch advocate for reform of our health insurance system, which was often at odds with those needing treatment.
"When Carole was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001 she met it head on, seeking aggressive treatment. As with Lyme Disease, she became outspoken in her attempt to raise public awareness and funding for research into this ‘silent killer,’ which takes the lives of thousands of women each year. In spite of her health issues she managed to enjoy life. She and her husband often traveled with a small group of friends she called the Cruise Crew. An avid animal lover, she was known to stop traffic on busy roads to rescue a stray dog or cat giving them shelter and a chance for a better life. At one point she had as many as three dogs and five cats in their small cape-style home on Long Island. However, in the 60 years of her life she will be remembered as a loyal and loving wife, a joyful and caring friend, and devoted mother and grandmother. While dealing with the pain of countless surgeries and chemotherapies she found great joy and satisfaction in having seen her son successful in his career, married to a beautiful and loving wife, whom Carole loved as if she were her own daughter, and most especially being a doting grandmother.” She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Richard J. Tegnander; a son, Brian Joseph and his wife, Lynn Tegnander, of Jeffersonville; grandchildren Allison, Sean and Morgan; and several cousins. Her Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, February 20, at St. George's Church in Jeffersonville. Fr. Ignatius Vu officiated. Internment followed at Calvary Cemetery, Youngsville. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021. Arrangements were under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/19/2006
