Carol Ann Simser, 77, Burlington, NC, and formerly of Carthage, NY, passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at the Alamance Regional Medical Center with her family at her side. She had been admitted the previous Thursday following a fall at her home.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Gary; two daughters and their spouses, Cassidy and Gary Mattimore of Potsdam; Crystal and Brandon Brewer of Burlington, NC; 8 grandchildren; two great granddaughters; an aunt, several nieces, nephews and cousins.  She is predeceased by a brother, Michael Forney.

Born June 3, 1944 in Carthage, a daughter of the late Kenna F. and Marion Tooker Forney, she was a graduate of Carthage Augustinian Academy, earned a degree in Business Education from SUNY Albany, and a Masters degree in Business Education from Syracuse University.

Carol taught at Catskill, Carthage, Copenhagen, Henderson, and Immaculate Heart Central Schools, Jefferson Community College, Jefferson Vocational-Technical Center, and Cape Vincent Correctional Facility.  She also worked at Jefferson Concrete, Jeff Bottling Company, Fort Drum Contractors, and Jefferson County Farm Service Agency, retiring in 2005.

Carol was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Burlington, NC, where she was a member of the Respect Life Committee and weekly Rosary Society.  She was a past member of Liferight Prolife Ministry, Our Lady of Joy Mercy Hospital rosary group, Jesus is Lord prayer group, and auxiliary member of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Watertown along with St. Francis Solanus Daughters of Isabelle in Harrisville. Carol was also a long-time child sponsor through Unbound, an international nonprofit founded by lay Catholics.

She enjoyed relaxing at Lake Bonaparte, spending time in daily prayer, and visiting with family and friends.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, May 25,2022 at 11:00am in St. James Catholic Church in Carthage with burial to follow in Hillside Cemetery, Natural Bridge. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 10:00am until 11:00am.

Memorial contributions may be made to Augustinian Academy, 317 West St., Carthage, NY 13619.