Carol Ann Peruzzi Berger was born in Wayne County, Michigan to Polish/Italian parents, Margaret and Albert Peruzzi, on April 4th 1951.

She was raised as a faithful Catholic with three sisters (Martha, Christine, and Margaret) and one brother (Gerard). Throughout high school, Carol enjoyed participating in school plays where the lovely green-eyed brunette showcased a beautiful soprano singing voice. She also enjoyed reading, which lead her to acquire a Bachelor's Degree in English from Wayne State University.

While in college, she started a job at the local Sears Roebuck store. There, in 1972, she met and started dating a dashing red-haired Engineering co-ed, Charles Berger. So began a life-long love story. On May 10, 1974 Carol and Charlie were married and embarked on their life together in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

Carol worked as a teacher before giving birth to two daughters: Emily in 1976 and Elizabeth in 1978. She was a devoted, protective, and loving mother. She took time to volunteer in her daughter's schools and led extracurricular clubs, often creating costumes for dance recitals or contributing to bake sales.

In 1985, Carol and Charlie decided to leave the Detroit area and move towards a simpler life near Polkville, North Carolina. There, she helped turn a freshly built house into a home. She began substitute teaching and volunteering again in her new district. Later, she took a job as the insurance coordinator and scheduler for the Outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Atrium Health-Cleveland. She was beloved by her coworkers who spoke often of her warm smile, kindness, beautiful voice, and silly nature. Carol retired from the hospital after 27 years of dedicated service.

In her free time after retirement, she became an integral member of the council and choir at Ascension Lutheran Church in Shelby. She filled her plate with yoga classes, book clubs, and local art shows. She maintained a rotating menagerie of small animals including goats, donkeys, and dogs. Most of all, she loved spending time with her husband. Together, they worked on their property, took family beach trips, and relaxed into a slower paced life of constant devotion to each other and their daughters.

In June of 2023, Carol was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. It spread quickly and by July she was hospitalized for six weeks. With treatment and her own fortitude, she was able to make a recovery that doctors called remarkable. She was released to go home and heal further. But in December, she learned her cancer had spread to her ovaries and other organs. She maintained her health through the holidays but was again admitted to the hospital on January 11th, 2024. Again she fought with grace and determination, taking visits from friends and clergy who loved her.

On January 17th, 2024, at an all too early 72 years old, Carol was overtaken by cancer and left this earthly realm. She leaves a legacy of strength and kindness, a presence in her community and family that can never be replaced or matched. Carol was a Helper. May we all strive to be the same in her memory.

She is survived by Charlie, her husband of almost 50 years; daughters, Emily and Elizabeth; her mother, Margaret; sisters, Christine and Margaret; brother, Gerard; sister and brother in law, Linda and Bob; and her dog, Phoebe.

She will be reunited in Heaven with her father, Albert; her older sister, Martha; and her parents in law, Ann and Lee.

A memorial service will be planned at a future time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center.