Caroline Carpentieri, 86, lifelong resident of Milford, died March 4, 2011 at the The Arbors, Bedford, NH.

She was born in Milford on September 21, 1924, a daughter of John and Caroline Cassanerio.

In her life, she became the manager of the McCory/McClellan 5 & 10 Store in an age when women were not out in the work force in prominent positions. She worked her way up from a sales clerk position to manager and won several Manager of the Year Awards, which included travels to Hawaii, New Orleans and the Poconos. She was with the company for 35 years until her retirement in 1989. Caroline enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, bingo, jigsaw puzzles, cooking for her grandsons and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed bowling and continued to bowl with a league until she was 82.

She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, Milford, and a member of Ricciardi Hartshorn Post #23 American Legion Auxiliary.

Caroline was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Antimo “Squeeky” Carpentieri; a beloved grandson, Robert B. Gay Jr.; two brothers and four sisters.

Family members include her daughter and son-in-law, Caroline “Tiny” and Robert Gay of Milford; two grandsons, Derek Gay and Steven Gay, both of Milford; her beloved niece, Sharon Hubbard of Bennington and her family; her niece, Frances Welch of Milford and her family; her sister-in-law, Louise Cassanerio of Niantic, CT and her family; and Vera Carpentieri of Nashua and her family; a stepson, Phil Carpentieri of Lyndeborough, NH and his family; a lifelong friend, Tootie Wright of Milford; several nieces and nephews.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 11th at 10:30 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Child & Youth Organization, c/o Karen Jarest, 93 West Street #44, Milford, NH 03055. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.