Carole Urbanik Stafford

She was born July 26, 1939 in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late Joseph and Irene (Poniatowski) Urbanik.

Carole spent her childhood in Dunkirk prior to her family’s move to their newly-built home on Carol Avenue in Fredonia. She was a graduate of Cardinal Mindszenty High School, SUNY atPotsdam and Wright State University.

Carole pursued a career in teaching for several years before finding her true calling as a registered nurse. She dedicated more than 20 years of her life to lovingly caring for the veterans at the Dayton VA Medical Center, retiring in 2003. An accomplished pianist, she often would entertain the veterans by playing period songs for their enjoyment.

Although Carole left the Dunkirk-Fredonia area after college, she was fiercely proud of her Polish roots and spoke fondly of her hometown, often expressing a desire to live out her golden years there. That didn’t happen, but her final wish to be buried in the family plot in Dunkirk has truly brought her home again.

Carole will be remembered as a sophisticated yet fun-loving woman of grace, a multi-talented lady who was devoted to her family and truly made a difference in the many lives she touched.

Left to carry on her legacy are her three children, Andrew (Dena) Krupa, Joseph (Katherine) Krupa and Libby Taylor; and 10 grandchildren. She is also survived by two stepchildren, Suzanne Mak and Jeff Stafford; and several cousins.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Frederick Urbanik; and her two husbands, Gordon Stafford and Rick Krupa.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 22, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.