Carol Kearns Ziegler, 83, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, January 8, 2017, at Elant at Fishkill, where she had been a resident since 2011. Carol was born on January 7, 1934 in Morristown, New Jersey to the late Hugh and Dorothea Kelley Kearns. She was educated in New Jersey and went on to attend Drew University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English. After graduation she traveled, venturing as far away as France, before coming back to Manhattan in the late 1950’s. That’s where she met her late husband, James C. Ziegler. Together they were technical writers for the Mercury Space Program. The lived in Manhattan and on Long Island. They left Long Island in 1965. After several relocations, they eventually settled in Fishkill in 1972. In 1974 Carol went to work for Fishkill Health Related Center as their activities director. She loved to sing and dance to show tunes to entertain the patients. Her career would span the next 32 years, of taking care of her “oldies but goodies.” Her work was her life, however outside of work she enjoyed gardening, and sewing. She especially loved to cook and host family gatherings at her house.

Carol is survived by her two devoted children; her daughter Nancy and husband John Troll of Danbury, CT, her son Hugh Ziegler, of Fishkill; and two loving granddaughters Jennifer and Emily Troll.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Noon, at the Robert H. Auchmoody Funeral Home, 1028 Main Street, Fishkill. Visitation will begin at 10:00am at the funeral home prior to the service. Inurnment will take place in the springtime at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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