Carol L. Corso Derry, born in 1941, died June 12 at home in Providence, R.I.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, she was a daughter of the late Edward Corso and Jean Vincenza Vigliotti Corso. She received her nursing degree from Mary Immaculate Hospital School of Nursing, in New York city and a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Boston University.

Carol raised her family in Newton, Ma. for 20 years, where she worked as a realtor. A lover of the Cape and Islands, she later moved to East Chop, after spending many summers in Provincetown, Ma. On the Vineyard, she was a visiting nurse at the hospital and a nurse in the Oak Bluffs elementary school, working with special-needs children. Later, she worked in early childhood intervention for the state of New York. She was an avid gardener with a large vegetable garden and she actively promoted healthy living through good food.

On Martha’s Vineyard, she was a part of the slow food movement and a member of the Agricultural Society. She was also a longtime member of the Italian-American Club and the Trollope Society. Four years ago, after 23 years on Martha’s Vineyard, she settled in Providence, R.I. to be closer to her family. Passionate about her Italian heritage, she loved studying the language, cooking family recipes with her granddaughter, listening to opera and spending her winters in Rome. It was on such a flight where she met her partner, Mike Wilson, with whom she spent her last four years happily enjoying “la dolce vita.”

She had an impeccable fashion sense and always dressed in style. She could toss a scarf around her neck, apply lipstick, change her shoes and walk out the door like she stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. Her strong sense of style didn’t stop at what she wore–she was larger than life and a fabulous force to be reckoned with. She lived with courage, defiance and a living-out-loud New York Italian constitution. She always invited lively conversations about politics, health care or people she loved. Over her 78 years, she touched many lives, leaving a legacy of love, kindness and acceptance of others.

Carol was predeceased by older sister Edwina Corso. She leaves behind her sons, Richard Derry, Mary Ann and Sylvie Mayer; and Johnathan Derry and Amy Wynne; her partner Mike Wilson; her granddaughter and a large extended family.

Her visitation will be held June 18 at Bellows Funeral Chapel, Lincoln, R.I. from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by an interment in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carol’s memory may be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society.