Carol Barracato

Carol Barracato was born Carol Dean Bass in Coddle Creek, NC to Frank Bass and Elva Mae Archie Bass. Carol lived and attended elementary school in Mooresville, NC until the age of 10, when she was placed in Nazareth Orphans Home in Rockwell, NC along with her sister, Brenda. In the orphanage, Carol was well-cared for, learning cooking and sewing skills and being taught Christian faith. She attended school in Rockwell. At the age of 16, she and her sister moved to Baltimore to live with their mother. She attended St. Martin’s Catholic School in Baltimore through 11th grade. In Baltimore, Carol met and fell in love with her husband, Joseph Barracato, son of first-generation Italian immigrants. Her Italian mother-in-law taught her some recipes that became family traditions. Carol and Joe lived in Baltimore until approximately 1970, when they bought a house in Glen Burnie, MD and moved there to live with their five children. Carol was always a hard worker. She instilled a solid work ethic in all of her children. Through the years, she worked at BWI Airport in security, as a seamstress at Howard Uniform Company in Baltimore, and briefly sewing sails for boats. She earned extra money by selling her famous baked goods and later by cleaning houses. Carol and Joe were separated for several years, and divorced in 2000. Carol left Glen Burnie and lived in Stewartstown, PA, and then in Arnold, MD. In 2005 she purchased a home in Seaford, DE where she lived until her health declined in 2023. She raised her granddaughter, Laci, in that home, and enjoyed a friendship with her good friend Anne Brainard, who was also raising her grandchildren. Carol enjoyed sewing, cooking, and looking for bargains at yard sales. Her most treasured moments were family gatherings. Carol was a generous and loving mother and grandmother who loved to cook for her family. She was also independent and outspoken. She was proud of the life she had built for herself and wanted to remain in her home as long as possible. In December 2023, Carol moved to Maryland to be cared for by her children, as she was in poor health. Carol passed away on July 30th, 2024, at Autumn Lake Healthcare in Crofton, MD. In her last months, Carol was surrounded by the love and presence of her children and their spouses, and her grandchildren. She is survived by her aunt, Peggy Brookshire of Granite Falls, NC; her sister, Brenda McGowan of Annapolis, MD; her five children: Anetra Badwak (David) of Pasadena, MD; Lisa Drinks of Annapolis, MD; Joseph Barracato (Amy) of Glen Burnie, MD; Michael Barracato (Meg) of Churchville, MD; and Frank Barracato (Lala) of Shady Side, MD. She leaves behind four grandchildren: Nicholas Drinks, Ashley Barracato, Richie Barracato, and Laci Barracato; two step-grandchildren: Natalie Porter and Veronica Porter; and two great-grandchildren: Azariah Hubbard and Kayson Carpenter. A private Celebration of Life will be held in October with extended family in attendance.

Carol Barracato

November 12, 1939 - July 30, 2024