Obituary of Carol P. Mendozza

Carol Parchinski Mendozza, hippy, outdoorswoman, nurse, avid runner, superb cook and vibrant lover of all things groovy moved on in her journey on February 16, 2021.

Born in Scranton, PA, raised in Endwell, NY and settled in Colorado, Carol was married for 46 years and had five kids… yes five with two sets of twins! Already, you don’t need to know more to know that she was superwoman. We always suspected she had a cape tucked into her running shorts somewhere. It just had to be there. I mean she (seemingly) effortlessly raised 5 kids, looked like a million bucks and was known by the neighborhood kids as the ‘Cool Mom’. She had to be super human.  Her hugs were out of this world too. Like being wrapped up in a warm blanket just out of the dryer.  It felt comforting and protective and deeply authentic. She loved to cut a rug. Never met a dance party she didn’t like. A nurse and certified lactation consultant, she deeply and devotedly cared for so many children and their mamas. Fitness was key to her, spreading her love of running with the local elementary school by starting an annual Fun Run to promote kids fitness. Nature was her sanctuary and where she refueled her vivacious spirit and endless energy to take on the world (and those 5 kids). Camping, fishing, hiking, hut trips... she was at peace doing just about anything in the mountains. If you asked her to describe herself she would probably use words like groovy and funky and hip. We have to agree but would add kindhearted, eccentric, passionate and headstrong. You were going to know her opinion whether you liked it or not.  Carol rarely met a stranger. She’d talk to any and everybody. She loved whimsy and gardening and all things about peace. And pretzels. She was always eating a darn pretzel. She cooked with love and cooked often. In fact she was known for her cooking. She was damn good at it. She was a fierce lover. To every one of her friends and family and all those that knew her she’d want to tell you that she loved you. And then she would flash you the peace sign and tell you to ‘Have a Groovy Day’.

Carol leaves behind her husband Joseph Mendozza, daughters Brielle Mendozza (Shana), Tara Mendozza DeCrescentis, Kyla Mendozza (James) and her sons Zach Mendozza (Stephanie), Ben Mendozza, her brother Charles Parchinski (Lynn), her father’s 2^ND wife, Jewell Parchinski, mother-in-law Alberta Mendozza, sisters-in-law, Jeannette Genthert (Bill) and Sandra Patti.  She also leaves behind grandchildren Leo, Adele, Ottie, Sylvie, Olivia and baby boy Mendozza on the way, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She rejoins her mother Marie Parchinski and her father Charles Parchinski and brother-in-law Phil Patti.

In memory of Carol’s love for the outdoors, her family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the 10^th Mountain Division Hut Association where she laughed, loved, hiked and cooked with her husband and beloved friends amongst the splendid Rocky Mountains. A Celebration of Carol’s ‘grooviness’ will be planned for a future date.