WELLINGTON, FLA. — Carol Ann Rixford (Ethier), 79, of Wellington, Fla., and formerly of Marlborough, Mass., and Naples, Maine, passed away after a very brief struggle with cancer on Friday, May 31, 2019.

Born and raised in Marlborough, she remained a resident there until retirement age, after which she resided first in Naples, Maine, and then in Wellington, Fla. She was well-known for her crafting abilities and operated a small craft store in Maine during her retirement years. She was both proud and humbled to amaze the medical community as a long-term, complication-free Type 1 Diabetes survivor for over 50 years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard E. Rixford, in 2015, and by her parents, Edward and Regina (Dion) Ethier, both lifelong Marlborough residents.

She leaves behind her two children, son Scott E. Rixford of Wellington, Fla., and daughter Jodi E. Rixford of South Paris, Maine; her brother Edward (and wife Delma) Ethier (of Marlborough, Mass.; her sister-in-law Sylvia (Rixford) Almada of Hudson, Mass.; and nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind cherished, lifelong friends in Massachusetts, Fla., and especially Maine, along with her beloved dog, Sophie, who was a true center of her world.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church, 409 Hemenway St., Marlborough, Mass., at 10 a.m., on Saturday, June 22, followed immediately by burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Marlborough.

A Mass of Remembrance will also be held in Florida at 5 p.m., on Sunday, June 30, at Saint Rita Catholic Church, 13645 Paddock Drive, Wellington, Fla.

In her memory, the family suggests donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in its continuing quest in funding research leading to a cure for Diabetes.