Carol Drury

CAROL LOUISE DRURY (December 27, 1952 to September 16, 2009)

Carol Louise Drury, of Saranac Lake, passed away peacefully on the shore of Lower Saranac Lake September 16. She was predeceased by her parents, Maynard Kane Drury and Katharine Fiske Drury, her sister Mary Katharine Drury Dewey, and her companion Newfoundland dog, Missy.

Carol will be remembered as someone who broke through many barriers for women. She retired with the rank of Major from the New York Army National Guard after 27 years of service to New York State and three years of active duty with the United States Army and the Women’s Army Corps. She was very proud of her service to this nation and was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

As the second woman to be hired by the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation Division of Law Enforcement, she retired with the rank of Captain in Region V. Her DEC assignments took her throughout the state as she participated in Basic Training Academies as a Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Counselor. She accepted assignments in Long Island, New York City, Rensselaer County and finally in her beloved Adirondacks.

Her involvement with the New York Outdoors Women for the last 15 years provided a platform from which she could teach several classes that would benefit women who had no previous experience in the out of doors. She became a Licensed New York State Guide in her retirement in order that she could continue to share her love of the out of doors.

Known to her HOG (Harley Owners’ Group) friends as, “The Princess of Planning”, Carol used her military planning skills to organize motorcycle trips with friends to such far reaching places as Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. This was a far cry from her first trips across the United States at the age of 18 on her Honda 175! She thanks her HOG friends for giving her a second lease on life!

In her retirement she also became involved in local charitable organizations such as Rotary and Community Lunchbox where she helped out where she could. She loved her church family at St. Luke’s and will be forever grateful for Mother Ann’s support and guidance.

Carol loved her friends and family deeply and wants everyone to know how much she appreciated all that they have done for her throughout her lifetime. She felt that her greatest achievement was her son, Matthew Collins. Without him she believed that she would never have reached for the stars to become the person she wanted to be for him. Carol thanks Susan and Michael for their love and care of Matthew and believes that without them he would never have become the man so kind and generous of spirit that he is.

She is survived by her son, Matthew and daughter in law Lina and her long awaited grandchild. Also by her brother Walter (Renee), Jack (Phyliss), and sister Esther, several nephews and nieces and special great nephew (Alexander ) and niece (Katharine).

There will be a church ceremony at St. Luke’s the Beloved Physician, Saranac Lake Saturday September 26 at 6:00 PM. Calling hours will be at Tebbut’s Funeral Home, Central Avenue, Albany Sunday September 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Interment will be at the Saratoga National Battleground and Cemetery Monday September 28 at 11:00 AM with a procession from Tebbut’s Funeral Home starting at 9:45 AM.

Contributions in memory of Carol can be made to Tebbut’s Funeral Home in the name of The Women In Military Service America Memorial or The North American Game Warden Museum.

American Legion

Army National Guard

US Army

Women's Army Corps

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