Carol E. (Cardinal) Emond

Carol E. Emond (Cardinal), 82, of Lunenburg, passed away peacefully in her home on December 15, 2024.  She was born December 8, 1942 at the Lucy Helen Hospital in Fitchburg the youngest (and only girl) of four children to the late Ephraim Edmund “Eddie” and Nora Cardinal (Bousley). She was raised in Fitchburg, moving to Lunenburg after marrying her beloved husband George L. Emond Jr. and bearing him their two daughters – Colleen and Bonnie.

Early in married life, Carol loved to cook, and was skilled in canning jellies from fruits her girls picked.  She was a skilled seamstress – sewing many outfits for herself and her girls.

Once the girls were in school full time, Carol returned to school herself and studied accounting at Mount Wachusett Community College.  She then worked as a bookkeeper for several years, working for her brother Leo, and for the Motel Linda.  She then decided to up her game and attended H&R Block’s school for tax preparers and became a Tax Consultant working for many years with H&R Block, and ultimately held the position of Manager at the Ayer office.

When she decided it was time to “slow down a bit and smell the roses” she took a part time position during tax season with a local CPA firm owned by Henry and Pauline Frye – who became dear friends to Carol until the time of her passing.

In the 70’s Carol and George were very active in square dancing, with George often acting as the “caller” for the club they were members of – the Backward Squares in Ashburnham. She and George were also avid gun hobbyists and members of the Lunenburg Rod and Gun Club.

Carol loved camping.  It was a great opportunity to get the family out of the house, out of town, to see new places and enjoy the great outdoors.  Once her girls got older, she and George put a trailer year round at Camp Tidewater in Hampton NH where many weeks and weekends were spent for years during the summer.  The beach was truly Carol’s happy place!

Later in life, Carol was bitten by the travel bug.  She often visited her daughter Colleen when she lived in Florida. She was Colleen’s best cruising companion, visiting the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, and South America.

Stateside, she and daughter Bonnie enjoyed Bingo, and they were always up for a trip to the Foxwood Casino. 

Shopping was her favorite sport, and she was a shopper extraordinaire!  It was all about the hunt – and there was always the next bargain to find.  George, Colleen, and Bonnie benefitted greatly as a result.

Carol was an avid reader.  She was a bit bloodthirsty in her tastes – enjoying murder mysteries, and horror genres the most.  She attributed this to having been raised with three older brothers, and later her husband George – all who back in the day enjoyed the classic sci-fi TV shows such as “Creature Feature,” “Twilight Zone,” and “Godzilla” via the old school UHF channels on the black and white televisionfeaturing rabbit ear antennas on top!

Carol was predeceased by her eldest brother Norman Cardinal and his wife Mary.  She is survived by her husband George L Emond Jr. of Lunenburg, the love of her life - to whom she had been married for 64 years.  She also leaves daughters Colleen LeBlanc and husband Steve of Leominster, daughter Bonnie Cordio and husband Mark of Fitchburg,her brothers Leo Cardinal and his wife Paula of Lunenburg, Clayton “Bee” Cardinal and his wife Joan of Ohio, her sister-in-law Shirley Whittet and life partner Joe Marrone. Carol also leaves her grandchildren Elizabeth Lough and husband Chad, Andrew Blake, Evan Blake and wife Lauren, Mark Cordio II, Curtis Cordio, and one great grandchild Lilah Lough. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In deference to Carol’s wishes, there are no services.

Carol loved cats and had the pleasure of being “owned” by several over her lifetime.  George and the girls request that in lieu of flowers please consider donating in Carol’s memory to a feline animal shelter.