Obituary of Caroline P. Kendall

Caroline P. Kendall, 93, of Marcellus, NY, passed away peacefully in her home on November 23, 2023. Caroline was born on June 1, 1930, to Samuel and Catherine Peckham of Newington, CT. She had eight siblings and grew up on the family's dairy farm. Caroline and her sister were the first women to be licensed to pasteurize milk in the state of Connecticut! When she wasn't in school or working on the farm, she played the accordion in a local band. She often spoke about living and working on the farm during WWII; Caroline and her siblings assumed much of the farm work as the hired men were called to serve; their silo was painted black because it was a landmark to the airport; and blackout curtains were installed in the basement in order to candle the eggs at night.

As a young adult, Caroline packed her trunk and boarded a bus to embark on a new adventure in Syracuse, NY. She resided at the YWCA and worked as a lab technician at Bristol Myers, doing research on penicillin in chicken feed. She and a friend moved into an apartment, and through a colleague, she met Harold Kendall Jr. They married in 1955 and raised five children: Harold III, Jeffrey, Julie, Gregory, and Gordon.

While Caroline's primary devotion was caring for her children and their home, she shared her passion for farming with her husband. They had their own small farm, raising beef cattle and hosting a menagerie of other animals, including chickens, horses, ducks, and pigs. Between the beef and Caroline's epic garden, the family enjoyed organic, home-grown dinners every night. She will be remembered as faith-filled, hardworking, strong, independent, fearless, fun-loving, and joyful. She referred to herself as a true "Connecticut Yankee." We will continue to repeat her favorite phrase, "Waste not, want not."

The family is eternally grateful to Caroline's very special team of caregivers: Hillary, Emily, Debby, Yawoa, Edie, Antoinette, Phillip, Leah, and Daisy. You loved her and cared for her with tenderness and joy.

Caroline is predeceased by her husband, Harold Jr., and her son, Harold III. She is survived by her four children, Jeffrey (Kristine), Julie Witty, Gregory, and Gordon; five grandchildren, Casey (Hayley), Krystal (Matthew) Barletta, Emily (Tyler) Plahanski, Katie (Alex) Banks, and Patrick Kendall; and three great-grandchildren, Aleea Kendall, Carter Barletta, and Owen Plahanski.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 6pm on Friday, December 1, 2023 at Ryan Funeral Home, 44 E. Main Street, Marcellus. The service and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Marcellus Ecumenical Food Pantry, PO Box 147, Marcellus, NY 13108.