Obituary for Carol McAllister (Hitchins)
The beautiful story of Carol Elaine McAllister began on January 2, 1943, and came to its conclusion on January 25, 2022. Born in Philadelphia to Marion and Earl Hitchins, Carol and her two big brothers, George and Robert, were raised in Florida. As a young adult, she modeled and won local Florida beauty pageants. Carol studied at the University of South Florida and explored her love of languages by teaching Spanish at the elementary school level. Carol spread her wings at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and thereafter took flight working for TWA and traveling the world. She married her one great magical love, Bob McAllister, and together they had one daughter, Molly Jo.
Carol spent many years living in the heart of New York City where she attended NYU for her graduate degree before moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, and then to Ossining, New York, and finally, Southbury, Connecticut. Carol’s career transitioned from hospitality to financial consulting, where she made lasting friendships with many - especially if they shared her love of food and practiced kindness toward animals. A devoted mom, Carol and Molly were inseparable and always lived close enough to each other so they could share a meal, a hug, or a cuddle with a pet.
Family was the most important thing to Carol and the joy in her life grew exponentially with the addition of her son-in-law Chris, and then her two adoring granddaughters, Madison and Lucy Vargas. The girls lovingly called her “Mugadoo,” and Carol loved spending time traveling with them, giving the girls new experiences, or simply hearing about all the things they did - all of which made her proud.
Carol’s interests and hobbies were abundant. A talented seamstress, she volunteered for Dress A Girl Around The World. She also liked to pluck on a guitar or ukulele, visit museums, read and discuss current books, learn new words, stay up-to-date on celebrity gossip, and share interesting facts, trivia, or quizzes over dinner. She loved leopard print, the color green, the Food Network, and the show and mission behind Pitbulls and Paroles. She had an affinity for flamingos and strong opinions about politics. She was encouraged by the strides women have made in leadership and was an ally to people of color.
Carol is predeceased by her parents, former husband Bob McAllister, brother George Hitchins, stepdaughter Susan Abbott, niece Debbie Vayno, and great nephew Curtis High. Her memory will be carried forward by her grateful daughter Molly, the son-in-law she adored, Chris Vargas, and their two daughters, Madison and Lucille; as well as her loving stepdaughter Robin Voth and her husband, Greg. She is also survived by her brother Robert Hitchins; her devoted nieces Laurie Gray and Brenda Hitchins, Brenda’s wife Susan Zajack; her great niece Tiffany Ho, and great nephews Chad Vanyo, Alex Zajack, Nicholas Gray, and their families. She will be missed by her dog, Bessie, and her granddogger, Sammi.
The family will be holding a small private celebration of Carol’s life, at a later date. Those who want to honor her life may do so by living their own to the fullest, adopting a dog, or enjoying a good meal and saving room for dessert. If a dog isn’t in your future, please consider a donation to bestfriends.org.
Carol spent many years living in the heart of New York City where she attended NYU for her graduate degree before moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, and then to Ossining, New York, and finally, Southbury, Connecticut. Carol’s career transitioned from hospitality to financial consulting, where she made lasting friendships with many - especially if they shared her love of food and practiced kindness toward animals. A devoted mom, Carol and Molly were inseparable and always lived close enough to each other so they could share a meal, a hug, or a cuddle with a pet.
Family was the most important thing to Carol and the joy in her life grew exponentially with the addition of her son-in-law Chris, and then her two adoring granddaughters, Madison and Lucy Vargas. The girls lovingly called her “Mugadoo,” and Carol loved spending time traveling with them, giving the girls new experiences, or simply hearing about all the things they did - all of which made her proud.
Carol’s interests and hobbies were abundant. A talented seamstress, she volunteered for Dress A Girl Around The World. She also liked to pluck on a guitar or ukulele, visit museums, read and discuss current books, learn new words, stay up-to-date on celebrity gossip, and share interesting facts, trivia, or quizzes over dinner. She loved leopard print, the color green, the Food Network, and the show and mission behind Pitbulls and Paroles. She had an affinity for flamingos and strong opinions about politics. She was encouraged by the strides women have made in leadership and was an ally to people of color.
Carol is predeceased by her parents, former husband Bob McAllister, brother George Hitchins, stepdaughter Susan Abbott, niece Debbie Vayno, and great nephew Curtis High. Her memory will be carried forward by her grateful daughter Molly, the son-in-law she adored, Chris Vargas, and their two daughters, Madison and Lucille; as well as her loving stepdaughter Robin Voth and her husband, Greg. She is also survived by her brother Robert Hitchins; her devoted nieces Laurie Gray and Brenda Hitchins, Brenda’s wife Susan Zajack; her great niece Tiffany Ho, and great nephews Chad Vanyo, Alex Zajack, Nicholas Gray, and their families. She will be missed by her dog, Bessie, and her granddogger, Sammi.
The family will be holding a small private celebration of Carol’s life, at a later date. Those who want to honor her life may do so by living their own to the fullest, adopting a dog, or enjoying a good meal and saving room for dessert. If a dog isn’t in your future, please consider a donation to bestfriends.org.