Carol A. (Novak) Gleason, 75, of Marblehead passed away peacefully on March 15 at the Lafayette Rehabilitation and Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Franklin, New Hampshire, the daughter of the late Adam and Rita Novak, Carol was the loving wife of Dr. William Gleason, with whom she celebrated 51 years of marriage. She was also a devoted mother and mother-in-law to Stephen and Rhonda Gleason of Marblehead and loving Mimi to Colin and Clara Gleason.
She is survived by her sister, Jean Mellott of Lincoln, Rhode Island; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ellen and John Philip of Hampden, Massachusetts, and Barbara and Dr. Michael O’Callaghan of Cork, Ireland, as well as many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
A graduate of the St. Elizabeth’s nursing program, Carol began her career as the private duty surgical nurse for the chief of otolaryngology for the Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary in Boston. She then became a liaison nurse for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital with the primary responsibility of evaluating patients at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Following the birth of her son, she continued her career in liaison with various rehabilitation settings while completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Cambridge College.
Carol had a unique and significant impact on nursing. As a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, she was one of the first graduates of the Nurse in Washington Internship. She founded the ARN Legislative Committee, which influenced federal legislation on behalf of nurses and patients.
Carol was the editor of PLAN (Pertinent Legislation Affecting Nurses), a monthly Massachusetts publication utilized by nursing institutions organizations and academia to easily keep informed of the role of government in their nursing practice and patient care.
In 2006, she received the designation of certified rehabilitation registered nurse and in 2007 was recognized as Case Manager of the Year by the Case Management Society of America. She completed her career as a case manager at Brigham & Women’s Hospital Boston, retiring in 2017.
As a Marblehead resident, Carol was an active member in the Junior Aid Society, helping to raise funds for HAWC and the Girls Club of Lynn. Carol volunteered at the Me & Thee Coffeehouse, where she baked and ran the kitchen where the coffee and desserts were sold. She also volunteered with the performing arts section of the Marblehead Festival of Arts. Carol also edited and assisted in the publication of the Junior Aid Society and Marblehead Festival of Arts cookbooks.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. Carol’s funeral will begin from the funeral home on Saturday, March 21 at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a donation in Carol’s name to Alzheimer’s research (alz.org), Me & Thee Music (meandthee.org) or the Marblehead Festival of Arts (marbleheadfestival.org/donate-1).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Carol’s family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.
