Cover photo for Carol Ann Opiekun's Obituary
Carol Ann Opiekun Profile Photo
1947 Carol 2021

Carol Ann Opiekun

December 25, 1947 — July 18, 2021

Carol Ann Opiekun, 73, passed away peacefully at home on July 18, 2021 after courageously fighting ovarian cancer for more than three years. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1695 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd, Charleston. A gathering of friends will take place from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Pkwy, Charleston, SC.

Carol was the supportive, loving wife of Henry P. Opiekun, the fiercely devoted mother of Christopher (Monisha) Dabek and Meredith Dabek, and the encouraging and caring stepmother of Molly (Frank) Marini and Brendan (Tracy) Opiekun. Her most cherished role was as Grammie / Grandma to Rayan and Ilsa Dabek, Ella and Owen Opiekun, and Vance and Roan Marini.

Born in New York City, Carol was the daughter of the late Donald and Kathleen (née Williams) Borbee and the older sister to nine siblings: Kathleen Borbee, Donald Borbee, Claudia (Ken) Price, Frances (Tommy) Eagan, Paula Borbee, John Borbee, Steven (Jane) Borbee, Bernadette (Frank) Tripodi, and Anne Marie (Todd) Cymerman. She loved and was loved by her numerous nieces and nephews and was a generous and loyal friend to many.

As a little girl, Carol dreamed of being a Rockette and a nurse. Being two and a half inches too short for Radio City Music Hall, Carol attended nursing school before earning her BA in Nursing and her MA in Nursing Administration. She had a natural gift for helping others, and worked as a staff nurse, nursing educator, and hospital administrator. She had clinical experience in Pediatrics, Women's Health, and Home Care, and eventually retired as Associate Vice President for Patient Care Services at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, RI after a long, dedicated career. One highlight of her career was her work with the American International Health Alliance and a partnership project with a hospital in Slovakia. She taught clinical nursing courses as an adjunct instructor at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the Medical University of South Carolina's College of Nursing. She also consulted at several hospitals for AdventHealth (formerly Adventist Health System).

Carol loved traveling to new places, Broadway show tunes, and helping friends and family with home improvement projects. She regularly maintained that the only way to get through life was with a good sense of humor and a glass of wine. She was well-known for taking daily walks with her trusty garbage grabber and cleaning up the streets of her neighborhood, inspiring others to do the same. She will especially be remembered for her take-charge attitude, her positive outlook on life, and her "never give up" mantra.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Carol to the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center in Charleston, SC or the Carol Opiekun Nursing Scholarship at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, RI.
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Service Schedule

Past Services

Gathering

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

5:00 - 7:00 pm

J. Henry Stuhr West Ashley Chapel

3360 Glenn McConnell Pkwy, Charleston, SC 29414

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Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am

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