Bella J. McCarroll

Bella means beautiful, and Bella Jane Roche McCarroll was truly beautiful, inside and out. A true warrior, Bella lived for more than 30 years with non-Hodgson’s Lymphoma before passing away peacefully on November 23rd. Born in Albany on August 20, 1931 to Leo P. and Mary J. Geoco Roche, Bella was the second of five siblings. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names and Mildred Elley Secretarial School in Albany. As a young woman, she was honored to be on the court of the first Tulip Festival in 1949.

On October 3, 1953 she married Walter J. McCarroll, her husband of nearly 62 years. If you asked her, Bella would tell you that her greatest accomplishment was raising her four children, Kathleen Moore (Bob), Susan Bango (Anthony), Thomas W. McCarroll (Johanna) and Daniel W. McCarroll (Jane). She was extremely proud of her 10 grandchildren - Cailin Moore, Meghan Ring (Ryan), Brianna Schroeder (Cary), Kerry Stroud (Ryan), Allissa Bango (Will), Emily Bango (Anthony), Anna Bango, John McCarroll (Emily), Alex Winters (Rich), Ryan McCarroll, and her 10 great grandchildren – Jack, Will, Natalie, James, Delaney, Hailey, Kayla, Daniel, Logan, and Brooke. Her family meant the world to her.

Over the years she enjoyed a number of jobs including pharmacy clerking at the old L. J. Mullen Pharmacy, and secretarial work at Brooks-Byer Associates and the Town of Bethlehem Senior Services. Bella was an avid reader, an enthusiastic storyteller, and an artist who discovered the joy of painting in her 80s. She loved good chocolate, ice cream, dogs, birds at the feeder, and shopping for new clothes; she baked the world’s best apple pie. Her grandchildren insisted on her mashed potato casserole every holiday. Each morning she checked the real estate listings and the baseball scores. Breakfast at Bella’s was a ritual enjoyed by out-of-town guests who were treated to family stories, some of which were true.

Bella was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Mary; her husband, Walter; and her four siblings, Mary Theresa Hooper, Anne Roche Malone, Peter E. Roche, and Catherine Beigel. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our beautiful Bella cherished friends who were like family to her. We’re grateful for her wonderful neighbors, especially Bill Hogan who visited daily. Thanks to her medical team at NYOH: Dr. Mohamad Younes, Dr. Peter Lamparello, and Family Nurse Practitioner, Yassah Sim. We’re grateful to hospice angels, Janine and Garth, who brought such comfort and kindness. Niece Claire McDermott provided laughter and expert nursing care for many years as well. And Bella’s devoted care-givers, Betzy and Gladys, went above and beyond every day, showering her with love and affection and attending to her every need.

We will be celebrating Bella’s lifetime of love at a future date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers we ask that you remember her with a warm smile towards a stranger or offer a gesture of kindness to someone in need.