Carolann Pumphrey
Carolann Pumphrey (1946-2023)
Carolann Pumphrey, 76, died Feb. 19 in Beacon.
She was born Oct. 26, 1946, in Baltimore. She graduated from high school and went on to earn an associate’s degree. She started her career as an affirmative-action officer and went on to work for 35-plus years. She married Earl Brinson in Beacon.
Carolann enjoyed traveling, competitive rose gardening, vegetable gardening, fishing, fish-fry gatherings (to share the bounty of fish she and Earl caught), entertaining family and friends, bowling, water aerobics and the occasional winemaking.
Along with her husband, Carolann is survived by her aunt, Marion Russel; a cousin, Robert Chase; and her nephews, Kengilo Phifer and Kengilo Phifer II.
A service was held March 3 in Baltimore.
Judy Vassallo
Judy Vassallo (1928-2023)
Inez “Judy” Vassallo, 94, of Palm Bay, Florida, and formerly of Beacon, died at her home on Feb. 24.
She was born on Oct. 4, 1928, in Gosport, England, the daughter of Charles and Rose Yetton. After World War II, she traveled to the U.S. on the RMS Queen Elizabeth’s maiden voyage. In 1946, she married John Markumas, whom she met in England when he was stationed there during the war. Judy and John lived in West Harrison and had five children.
John died in 1977, and in 1983 Judy married Joseph Vassallo; they lived in Harrison and Venice, Florida. While living in Florida, Judy enjoyed singing with the Lady of Lourdes choir, with whom she traveled to Italy to accompany the Sistine Chapel Choir at the Vatican. Judy also enjoyed singing with the choir at various gatherings and ceremonies.
Later in life, following Joseph’s death, Judy moved to Beacon, where she shared a home with her daughter, Barbara, and son-in-law, Bob. There she spent time gardening, quilting, knitting, relaxing with her cats and visiting with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 2019, Judy, Barbara and Bob moved to Palm Bay. Judy lived out the rest of her life there with her family and cat, Misty.
Judy is survived by her children, Barbara Ahern (Bob) of Palm Bay; Michael Markumas (Star) of Shrub Oak; Patricia Fraioli of West Harrison; and Robert Markumas of Danbury, Connecticut.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kristopher Ahern (Michelle), Kurt Ahern (Christina), Kevin Ahern, Jessica Markumas, Zoe Markumas, Michael Markumas Jr., Billy Fraioli (Gayle), Brian Fraioli (Stacey), Wilmer Flores (Zulma) and Jason Markumas (Milly), as well as 11 great-grandchildren. Her son, Charles Markumas, died before her.
Memorial donations may be made to Alley Cat Allies (alleycat.org) and Farm Sanctuary (farmsanctuary.org).
