Carol Rusca

Mom passed away in the early afternoon of April 20th, just eight days shy of her 91st birthday. She died as she’d hoped to: peacefully at home with loved ones.
 
Mom was born in Oakland, the only child of Mary and Andy Caverly. Due to her mother’s long-term illness, her young life was unsettled and she often spent long periods in boarding school at Notre Dame in Alameda. So, after graduating from St. Elizabeth High School along with her future husband Carl, she was unprepared for what was to come. What came was seven boisterous boys, born over the course of just 10 years. Prepared or not, she saw the challenge as God’s calling and she rose to face it, guiding her sometimes reluctant sons towards adulthood, as a single mother for many of those years, with unconditional love and support.
 
When the nest emptied, she turned her attention to others in need. She worked for several years as a spiritual counselor at what is now Park Bridge Nursing Home in Alameda and continued that work as a volunteer at Alameda Hospital and leading bible study at Juvenile Hall in San Leandro.
 
Mom’s faith was at the center of everything she did. She was a friend, guide and mentor to so many in her spiritual community and elsewhere. Her faith was her strength. Her love was ours.
 
Mom is survived by sons Tom (Carmen), Larry (Leslie), Victor, Matthew (Donna), John (Lorene) and Gregory, as well as 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her oldest son Michael, her beloved daughter in law Joy, and Carl Rusca, father of her seven boys.
 
The family would like to thank Aquino “Junior” Chiu, for his dedication, skill and compassion as her caregiver over the past 3+ years. We want to especially thank our brother Vic who has been by her side through thick and thin, throughout her late life journey. We know how hard he worked to bring her peace and comfort every day. She knew it too. We will forever be grateful.

Family and friends are invited to the services of Carol on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Greer Family Mortuary and Cremation Services, visitation will be begin at 3:00 p.m. with the vigil service beginning at 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 10th, 2024 at St. Joseph Basilica, funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of lowers please make a donation to Agape Villages.

agapevillages.org

The month of May is foster care awareness and your donation will be matched  .50 cents on the dollar.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Rusca, please visit our floral store.