Carol E. Latta

Carol concluded her journey here on Tuesday, October 7, just a few days into her eightieth year. The stars just got a bit brighter. Forever beautiful, an adventurous, joyful, and loving mother, wife, nana, sister, and best friend to many near and far. Carol is grateful for nearly eight decades of good health, love of family, close connection with friends, rewarding work, talented work associates, many adventures, and the opportunity to observe and be in awe of the world we live in and this amazing expanding cosmos.

Although Carol's spirit has left her body, she will be with us always. Carol will be forever remembered and loved by her husband and soulmate David McEneany, sister Mary Latta, children: Chris (Anna) Manning, Holly (John) Mayer, Jennifer (Patrick) Heelen, Patrick McEneany, Scott (Michele) McEneany, 15 amazingly unique grandchildren from A to Z and Denmark to Utah, including: Abby, Alex, Calder, Carter, Craig, Elle, Elise, Finn, Josh, Holly Skye, Kathleen, Maggie, Tim, and Zoe, the McEneany and Manning clans and countless friends near and far.

A proud 1964 graduate of Webster Thomas High School Carol loved connecting with her classmates at reunions sharing how their lives had progressed. As a single mother Carol earned a BS degree and completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Rochester.

After a successful 29 year career as a Program Manager, Quality Guru, at Xerox in Finance, Administration, and Marketing, Carol reconnected with the U of R - specifically the Physics and Astronomy Department. She partnered with the professors creating a business called Truth and Beauty, co-authored a textbook on Astronomy, and served for 21 years as the U of R Outreach Program Director responsible for Mees Observatory Tours.

Carol was an active member of the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science (ASRAS) from 1999 to present including many years in leadership roles, President for 5 Years, Founder of the Young Astronomers Program, and named Fellow of the Rochester Academy of Science for her 25 years of contribution to astronomy outreach – exposing thousands to the wonder of the billions and billions. “Cosmos Carol”, her most appropriate name on the web.

Carol has lived in Webster and Penfield before settling in with David at their dream home on the lake in Hilton – the site of many family gatherings, for the Manning and McEneany clans, Camp Cousins on the Lake, Longest Day parties, happy hours, and quiet relaxation.

Gatherings at the lake included puzzles, games, playing in the lake, soaking in the hot tub, special meals of breakfast tacos, seagull and rice, (tastes like - might be chicken.) Carol and David enjoyed planning and hosting Camp Cousins on the Lake for 10 years for grandkids, nieces and nephews.

Carol loved being a Mom, Nana, GEVA attendee, Billiever, the Bills make her wanna shout, sharing life with Dave and our families and friends, learning about the cosmos and especially attending any kind of event or performance with our children and grandchildren.

Carol enjoyed travel adventures from the Rockies to the Himalayas, Kenya to Nepal, Iceland to Australia, hiking the trails, visiting Art Galleries, Museums, Churches, Geocaching, and most of all the diverse people she connected with. We are all connected.

In the states Carol, in addition to visiting family and friends, Carol enjoyed campfires and meals, the sound of rain on the tent, hiking and biking, attending dance performances and movies at the Little Theater. In her younger years Carol was an avid runner, rollerblader, and scuba diver. Skiing was at the top of Carol’s list for more than 50 years.

For over 40 years Carol served as a Special Olympics Volunteer, Board Member, Volunteer Coordinator, Unified Volleyball Sports Director, and most loved Coach Carol for the Heritage Nordic and Snowshoe team at Bristol Mountain. Carol and the athletes brought competitive spirit, joy, and comradery to each other’s hearts. No couch potatoes. If it’s minus 5 degrees or above, here we go with Coach Carol in the lead.

The family will celebrate Carol's life: all the very special things about her, how she touched each of us and why we loved her so very much. Please join us if you can for this Celebration of Life at 4:00 pm Friday November 14 at Pomona at Blue Barn 918 Manitou Rd. Be prepared to laugh, cry, hug, share stories, and be forever grateful that Carol has been part of our lives. Our lives are all so very much better because of her.

If you would like to make a donation in Carol’s memory, please consider the following causes that are very special to her. Carol believes that “every child matters.” She and David have had a long involvement in Jamaican Advantage thru Sports for Youth (JASY) and wish to continue to provide education for underserved children in the Riverton Meadows Jamaica community. https://bit.ly/honoring-carol-jamaica

Another cause special to Carol is a cure for cancer. You can make a donation in her name for David’s Ride for Roswell at: https://bit.ly/honoring-carol-roswell