Ola Ruth Caruso

Ola Ruth Endlich Caruso, age 100 years, 9 months, of North Port, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 27, 2018. Ola was born on October 15, 1917 in Newark, NJ to Lillian May Fitzpatrick Endlich and George J.H. Endlich. She lost her husband, Philip William Caruso, in 1981. Born during WWI, she contracted and survived the dangerous ""Spanish Flu"" during her first year of life, which portended many other amazing survivals to come. In high school Ola was a member of the National Honor Society, significant clubs and activities and was a math whiz. Ola was fully accepted as a four-year scholarship winner to attend Brown University's sister school, Pembroke, in 1935. She was elated and looking forward to her life to come. However, her father refused to allow this life-changing experience to occur. Ola spent most of her career as a meat cost analyst for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, retiring in 1978. Ola met her husband-to-be, Philip William, at Barringer HS in Newark, NJ. He was chosen to be on the NY Yankees farm team as a pitcher. They married in April 1940. Ola gave birth to three children, the eldest, a boy, did not survive birth. She is survived by her two, very loved, daughters, Marila Susan Sciarello (which included Ola's great love of her son-in-law, Jim) of Englewood, FL; and Phyllis Ann (widow of Warren Jeffrey) Terhune of Venice, FL; one grandchild, Corrie Terhune; and three GREAT-grandchildren, Aiden Lucas, Chance Joseph, and Ryan John Jeffrey. Ola also leaves her dear ""third daughter"" Lois Tar and her cherished friend and former caretaker, Lucy Velazquez. Ola will be most remembered for her unselfish and undying love for her family and dogs; her amazing and unending patience and total lack of complaining. She was gentle and caring to all. She was an extraordinarily forgiving person. Ola's life was full of many ups and downs; yet she ALWAYS chose the high road. Ola LOVED reading, being read to and listening to books on tape (during many years of blindness), attending Broadway plays, music of the Big Band area and accompanying vocalists. She taught her children love of museums, American history, animals and the beauty of art. Ola loved Cape Cod. She showed immense kindness and acceptance throughout her life. Ola loved to smile and how beautiful she was. Mother had a lovely sense of humor and enjoyed laughing. It was so much fun and privilege to be in her presence. Love you Mom! BIGTIME! Visitation for family and friends will be held at Farley's Funeral Home, 265 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285 on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 3:30pm to 8:00pm with the memorial service to begin at 7:30pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the following charities: Vintage Paws Sanctuary, Inc., 7950 State Road - 72, Sarasota, FL 34241; Suncoast Humane Society,6781 San Casa Drive, Englewood, FL 34224; John Hopkins All Children's Hospital (Children's Mental Health Department), 501 6th Ave S, St Petersburg, FL 33701. Visitation Information Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 Time: 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm Farley Funeral Home - Venice Chapel Address: 265 Nokomis Avenue South Venice, FL 34285 941-488-2291 | Map Service Information Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 Time: 7:30 pm Farley Funeral Home - Venice Chapel Address: 265 Nokomis Avenue South Venice, FL 34285 941-488-2291 | Map