Carol Margaret Sova Vozeh, born August 20, 1943, to Andrew and Margaret Sova in Clifton, New Jersey, lived a remarkable life defined by intelligence, strength, faith, independence, love, laughter, and devotion to her family and friends.

Carol was truly a woman ahead of her time. A mathematical genius with an extraordinary mind for numbers, finances, and problem-solving, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from St. Bonaventure University in 1965 and later earned a master’s degree in Computer Science—an exceptional accomplishment for a woman in the 1960s. She went on to build a career working with computers in New York at a time when the field was still in its infancy. Her intelligence, determination, and ability to understand even the most complicated things were hallmarks of who she was.

It was at St. Bonaventure that Carol met the love of her life, Jerry Vozeh. Their meeting began a lifelong love story and partnership. Together they eventually made their home in Sanford, North Carolina, where they shared many wonderful years until Jerry’s passing. Jerry was truly the love of Carol’s life, and their bond remained at the center of her heart.

Carol was a devout Catholic whose faith was at the center of her life. She found strength, comfort, and guidance in her faith and remained steadfast in it throughout her life. Her Catholic faith shaped the way she loved her family, cared for others, and faced life’s challenges with remarkable strength and grace.

Carol was also deeply committed to the Republican Party and took great pride in being involved in politics. Her political beliefs were important to her, and she was never afraid to share her opinions or stand firmly behind the causes and candidates she believed in. She followed politics closely and remained engaged in political affairs throughout her life.

While Carol’s professional accomplishments were remarkable, her greatest joy was always her family. She was a beloved mother to Michele and Frank, a loving stepmother to Colin, and a cherished grandmother to her four grandchildren. She was a wonderful grandmother who never forgot a birthday, always made the phone call, and loved sending gifts to let her grandchildren know she was thinking of them. Her family always knew they were loved.

One of the most treasured relationships in Carol’s life was her lifelong friendship with Barbara, whom she met when she was just 14 years old. What began as a friendship between two young girls became a bond that lasted more than six decades. Through every chapter of Carol’s life, Barbara remained a steadfast and cherished friend, sharing in the laughter, the challenges, and the many memories they created together. She was Carol’s friend at 14, and she remained her friend all the way to the end.

Carol was always on the go and never one to sit still for long. She was a true road warrior, confidently taking to the interstate and continuing to drive well into her senior years. She was fiercely independent, determined, and always ready to get where she needed to go.

She was also famously thrifty and had a remarkable knack for understanding insurance plans. Give Carol an insurance policy and she could figure it out, find the details others missed, and make sure everything was exactly as it should be. Her sharp mind wasn’t limited to mathematics and computers—she could make sense of just about anything involving numbers, finances, or fine print.

Carol was a lifelong bridge player and faithfully enjoyed the game throughout the years. She loved the finer things in life, particularly when it came to food and drink. She especially enjoyed a prime rib dinner, particularly when her son made it for her, and loved going to Carrabba’s. Yet she was just as happy with an Arby’s roast beef sandwich. She also loved a great glass of red wine and insisted that her coffee be, quite literally, insanely hot. And if there was ice cream in the house, Carol had a special strategy for making sure there would be some when she wanted it—she hid it in the back of the freezer.

Carol was one of the strongest women you could ever meet. She possessed an extraordinary mind, an independent spirit, a generous heart, and an unwavering devotion to the people she loved. She lived a life filled with love, laughter, kindness, faith, and family.

Above all, Carol will be remembered as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, stepmother, and friend whose greatest legacy was the love she gave to those around her. Her faith was strong, her love was steadfast, and her family was her greatest blessing.

A family memorial service will be held in Sanford, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Red Cross, PO Box 407, Southern Pines, NC 28388.