Caroline Mahony Legare

A dear daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Caroline Smoak Legare of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Born to Caroline and Bayfield Smoak in Mercy Hospital on Bee Street, Caroline was quickly given the nickname Tookie by her father. Tookie's early years were spent playing with her two younger brothers, Bayfield and Norwood, and many cousins on Sullivans Island - often throwing her brother "Naughty" off the rocks to see if he could swim. Tookie met Rupert Walker Legare Jr., the love of her life and best friend, when she was just 11 years old and was his bride for over 60 years. Together, they led a life of love and adventure - following Rupert's Navy squadron across the Mediterranean and the world, spending quality time and money on Rupert's "damn" boat, and becoming parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Bridge was a passion of her life, and everyone knew Thursday was Tookie's day for playing cards with friends - old and new. Tookie truly lived her life with zest. As a mother and grandmother, Tookie taught her children, Carol and Robert, and six grandchildren, Alex, Mary, Clayton, Robert, Caroline and Catherine, and their families many things - how to correctly wash their hands, that spaghetti is best enjoyed as a large family meal, the comforts of 1940's music, and the importance of extended family. Sweet Caroline played her final bridge hand in Mt. Pleasant, where she will rest next to her Rupert. A funeral service will be held at The Church of the Holy Cross (Historic Church) on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., led by Reverend Trip Cormeny. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at The Church of the Holy Cross (Traditional Church). Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Charleston Friends of the Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401 or "Continuing Education Fund for Clergy," c/o The Church of the Holy Cross, 2520 Middle Street, Sullivans Island, S.C.  29451. The adage "Happiness is being Kookie" hangs on Tookie's kitchen wall. For everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her and hugging her neck, true happiness was knowing and loving Tookie. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL.