Carol Maria Storm

Carol Maria (Bader) Storm, 73, of Ocala, FL became an angel on December 8, 2022. She was born in Phillipsburg, NJ on December 22, 1948, the daughter of the late Theodore “Teddy” Bader Wahbe and Mary Lou (Dragotto) Bader.

Carol loved spending time with her family and will be dearly missed by her sons, David Bader and wife, Dawn; and Scott Storm and wife, Stephanie; grandchildren, Krystal Cuff and husband, Brandon, and their children, Mason and Carson; Scott Storm, Jr. and Kristen, and their son, Brayden; Andrew Bader and Alicia; Courtney Storm; Shane Storm; Seth Storm, and too many cousins to mention by name. She was predeceased by her beloved grandmother, Theresa Merlo Dragotto.

Carol earned her Associates Degree in Computer Technology from Somerset Community College. She worked as a Technology Manager for New York Life Insurance Company. During her working years, she made lifelong friends while she excelled in her work. Carol was very proud of her accomplishments, her career, and the pleasures of life she achieved, especially her home, weekend parties with friends and family around her swimming pool and hot tub and special meals set to beautiful Lenox china and crystal. The journey was not easy, but Carol was very proud of her success, which she noted would not have been possible without the support of many friends, family, and her close cousins.

Carol had an infectious smile, paired with the gift of being able to strike up a conversation with anyone as if she knew them her whole life. If only a brief interaction, she knew your name and found some common ground, and you likely remembered her. Carol enjoyed drinking coffee for many hours in the morning, and it was even better if that included conversation with a friend or family member. She lovingly referred to her family as “her angels”. Phone conversations always began with an energetic, “Well, good morning, my angel!” Each birthday, after the traditional happy birthday song, you had to endure, “How old are you now” and you were REQUIRED to sing how old you were. It wasnt an option if you wanted cake.

Carol loved to travel and was blessed with the opportunity to experience the joy of visiting many places throughout the world. Her love of travel began with yearly summer trips to Atlantic city with her mom and dad, which later included her boys. There were many family trips to Dayton, Ohio. Once she had grandchildren, there were frequent trips to Walt Disney World with her angels and family. Vacations with family and friends include the Smoky Mountains, New Orleans, San Francisco, Key West, Top Sail, Williamsburg, Seattle, Sedona, Italy, Alaska, China, Toronto, Mexico, Trinidad, Russia, Greece, Tobago, and Chile to name a few. If you went on a road trip with Carol, it always started in song: “Were off to see the wizard!” followed by her memory of how trips with her Daddy always started in the same way.

And then there was food. Even better if it was organic. Carol enjoyed everything about food: Growing it, shopping for it, cooking it, talking about it, reading about it, eating it, and preserving it. Especially basil and garlic (the more the better). Homemade bread. A very softly cooked egg. And really strong coffee, Sumatra to be exact. If you were fortunate enough to have the benefit of an afternoon trip to the grocery store with Carol, you truly experienced an adventure, beginning with a motorized scooter, which often resulted in an apology and laughter in the car on the way home. Carol enjoyed fine dining and wine. She was especially fond of foods from her Lebanese and Italian heritage. If you asked her if she was serious, she would say, “No, Im Lebanese.” She savored every bite she took, especially if it was white potatoes or a piece of dense chocolate cake, her guilty pleasures. During her international adventures, she came to appreciate cultural foods from around the world. Most of all, Carol wanted everyone to love the foods SHE loved. As picky eaters, her grandchildren fondly remember her getting them to eat by telling them everything was chicken. If you wanted to learn how to make something delicious, Carol was your girl. She jumped on the chance to share her cooking techniques, but of course, if you made her chicken basta miango or her rice pilaf, it was never quite the same as hers. She didnt consider herself a baker, but she was very proud of an elegant coconut birthday cake she made with one of her angels. She was truly an amazing cook.

More recently, upon her retirement to Florida, she enjoyed sunshine, palm trees, swimming, Mickey Mouse, and NO SNOW. She took up new pastimes with new friends that became an extended part of her family. A game of Mahjong grew into great love and friendship. There was trivia and bingo, wine, and laughter. Sunshine and good times, sunsets, and sorrow. Theater, concerts and dinners with her friends in the singles club. If you wanted to play a game (especially canasta) Carol was in. When she wasnt busy with friends and family, she loved to read and watch tv, especially Sci-Fi.

May Carol rest in peace in her universe.

A service to celebrate Carols life will be held on her birthday; Thursday, December 22, 2022, 10 a.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. The family will receive guests on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. and again on Thursday from 9-10 a.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinsons or Michael J Fox Foundations or any charity of your choice.

Cemetery
Ss. Phillip and James Cemetery
519 US-22
Phillipsburg NJ 08865
US

Visitation
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Connell Funeral Home
245 E. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Visitation
Thursday, December 22, 2022
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
The Connell Funeral Home
245 E. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Funeral Service
Thursday, December 22, 2022
10:00 AM
The Connell Funeral Home
245 E. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531