Carol Elston Sweet, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026.
Carol was born on May 7, 1942, in Middletown, New York, to L. Stanley and Marjorie Elston. She grew up in Middletown, graduated from Middletown High School in 1960, and was a member of Webb Horton Memorial Presbyterian Church. She went on to graduate from SUNY Cortland with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education.
Carol moved to Montgomery, New York, in 1967, where she made her home and devoted much of her life to serving others. She was a fifty-year member of First Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, where she taught Sunday School for more than 35 years and served as a deacon. She also was a member of the New Horizons Senior Club, where she served as a trip coordinator, served on the Town of Montgomery Youth Council, and volunteered at the Montgomery Nursing Home for more than 30 years.
Carol dedicated her professional life to children and education. She taught at schools in Stony Point, Middletown, and Pine Bush, New York, as well as at Heather’s Childs Place in Montgomery.
Carol had a gift for listening to others and helping whenever she could. Her compassion, optimism, patience, and generosity were reflected in the way she lived as a devoted mother and grandmother, a caring sister, and a true friend to many. She found joy in encouraging others and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Carol is survived by her loving family: her son, Charles W. Sweet, and his wife, Kate, of Layton, N.J.; her daughter, Dr. Carrie Starr, and her husband, Dr. Ervin Starr, of Churchville, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Mikayla Starr, Brianna (Starr) Roselund and her husband, Josh, and Connor Starr; and her great-grandchildren, Olivia and Cooper Roselund.
She is also survived by her caring sisters, Pat Juliano and her husband, Dominic, of Naples, Fla., and Linda Elston of Middletown, N.Y.; nieces Cathy Juliano and her husband, David Deutsch, of Naples, Fla., and Megan Ancona Davis and her husband, Bill Davis, of New Hampton, N.Y.; nephews Dan Juliano and Ryan Ancona and his wife, Gislaine, of Cape Coral, Fla.; and several great-nieces and great-nephews: Hannah, Jonathan, Thomas, William, Olivia, Aiden, Nicholas, and Sophia.
Carol’s compassion, optimism, patience, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of faith, service, and love for others will continue through the many lives she touched.
All are invited to celebrate Carol’s life at a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church in Montgomery on Saturday, September 5, at 10:30 a.m. The service will also be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Wallkill Avenue, Montgomery, NY 12549.