Carol Ann with her sister, Marilyn in the 1940s
Carol Ann with her parents and sister in front of her aunt's home in the Catskills region of New York.
Carol Ann's yearbook portrait from St. Joseph's Commerical High School in Brooklyn, New York. She was a member of the Leo Honor Society, and the Journalism, Glee, and Student Service clubs
Carol Ann is sitting in the window of her grandmother's house in Brooklyn, New York with her aunt, uncle, and grandmother
Carol with her mother and sister, Marilyn, by a birdbath in a garden
Carol Ann with her father and sister, Marilyn, in the yard of her aunt's house in the Catskills region of New York
Carol Ann in her coat at her aunt's house in the Catskills Region of New York
Carol Ann's mother and father in the Catskills Region of New York
Carol Ann (the teacher standing fourth from the left), with her class at St Francis Xavier school in Brooklyn, New York
Loving thoughts by Carol Ann that were written in her will
Greeting card artwork of flowers painted by Carol Ann
Envelope artwork created by Carol Ann
Painting created by Carol Ann
Sunflower artwork created by Carol Ann
Colored drawing of New York City by Carol Ann La Plante showing the Statue of Liberty and part of the New York skyline
Holiday themed artwork created by Carol Ann showing a ribbon, holly, fir boughs, and pine cones
Artwork of a lighthouse on a promontory by Carol Ann
Drawing done by Carol Ann showing a man and a candle
Colored drawing showing sheet music, roses, and a violin by Carol Ann
Artwork of flowers created by Carol Ann
Flower artwork created by Carol Ann
Artwork of flowers created by Carol Ann La Plante
American flag standing at Carol Ann's name at the National September 11th Memorial at the World Trade Center site in New York City
Tribute written for Carol Ann by her friend Patricia Ann Theresa Connolly that was originally printed in volume 2, issue number 4 of the "Agony and the Ecstasy"
Short tribute written about Carol Ann noting her religious affiliations and hobbies
The cover of the 1975 edition of "The Poetry of Robert Frost" who was Carol Ann La Plante's favorite author
Poems written by Carol Ann La Plante that were printed in "Agony and Ecstasy" in 2000
Poem written by Carol Ann La Plante
Poem written by Carol Ann La Plante
Carol Ann was the exhibition manager for the Art Directors Club in New York City
Queen Elizabeth II September 11 Memorial Garden
Conseleya 9/11 Memorial
Dewitt 9/11 Memorial
Montclair State University 9/11 Memorial
East Newark 9/11 Memorial
Fair Haven 9/11 Memorial
Freehold Township 9/11 Living Memorial Tree Grove
Crescent Beach Park - Flagpole/Memorial for 9/11 Victims
Garrison Elementary School American Patriot Garden
New York Times Portraits of Grief
Security cameras caught Carol LaPlante going to early Mass on the morning of Sept. 11, before she made her way to the office of Marsh & McLennan at the World Trade Center.
It was a good start for her last day on earth, said her friend and fellow parishioner, Ann McCarthy. For Ms. LaPlante's real calling, "the star of her life," Ms. McCarthy said, was St. Francis and the art gallery in the lobby of the friary. Ms. LaPlante ran the gallery as part of the St. Francis Creativity Group for many years, and it was recently renamed for her. She would have been 60 today.
"She was a poet and an artist, and while her paintings tended to be very cheerful and flowery, the poetry we found after her death seemed to say she was ready to go," said Ms. McCarthy. "She wrote about going back to God, and of being a star in God's heaven." One of her poems, "Alice O'Connell's Candle," was written after the death last Christmas of another parishioner, a woman who wept as she lighted candles in the sanctuary. But Ms. McCarthy thinks it could be about Ms. LaPlante. Here is the final stanza:
So God has blown your candle out.
He has relit its light, no doubt,
Some place our eyes must wait to see:
A heaven's star he made of thee.
Dear Carol
Dear Carol
You are truly missed by all of us left behind. Father Christopher Keenan called earlier this month. He has been our stronghold. Marilyn, Mark and I talked on your birthday, December 23. I thought about you throughout the day of your birth. You made your mark here on earth and many have said that you are a saint. I believe that, too.
You were a Secular Franciscan and lead your life according to those principles. I remember your stories about the homeless teenagers to whom you gave your money. You cared. You lived simply. You took care of many elderly who had no one to care for them. You visited them in the hospital and lovingly saw that they received a proper burial.
You were a Lector and Eucharistic Minister, bringing "Jesus in your pocket" to everyone including our Mother. Though mom had been ill for a while she was a fighter who intended to keep on living surviving to experience the grief on September 11th and dying on November 30 2001 of a broken heart.
She told me the grief is too heavy on my chest two days before her death. Father Chris was there for your memorial services and for mom's funeral.
As the founding Directress of the Creativity Group at St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street in New York City, you saw the empty foyer of the Franciscan Friary and dreamed of what it could be. Your dream opened over twenty-one art exhibits in this foyer which became the Carol La Plante Gallery at St. Francis of Assisi. Proceeds of sales went to support the Breadline at St. Francis. Your Creativity Group decided to dedicate the space in your honor, opening The Carol La Plante Gallery near the first anniversary of September 11. I looked forward to each new exhibit opening at the gallery since it brought those who loved you together to celebrate you and your dreams.
The exhibition space was closed during the construction of the new apartment tower which is now adjacent to the church. The Gallery has never reopened. The plaque dedicating the space in your memory is missing. This part is painful and my hopes of fulfilling the dreams that you wrote in your Creativity Group notebook have been put on hold.
Your music, art, poetry, and journalism (commemorated by your Alma Mater St. Joseph's Commercial High School) are our treasure that I want to share and publish. You were so humble that I never knew that you were valedictorian of your graduating class of 1959!!!
I read this on the graduation program that I found in your scrapbook of your high school years. You taught fifth grade at St. Francis Xavier School on President Street in Brooklyn, New York. One of your students, Kathleen Lane met me for lunch. I've lost her contact information but the stories that she told me were priceless.
I could go on and on about the beautiful and talented lady that you were; however I will suffice it to say that you helped to raise me and took pride in all that I have accomplished as well as all that your nieces and nephews accomplished. I never realized that you adopted a missionary child whose birthday was the same as mine and read in your writings that you wondered how you would fill the void when I went away to college.
You have given me many gifts including the love of music, poetry, reading and writing. I know that I carry you with me in my heart always. You are always by my side.
Love and Prayers (Carol always signed this way)
Your sister
Jeanne
Posted by
Carol, you will never be
Carol, you will never be forgotten by me. I have found a friend in your precious sister, Jeanne...she is so like you. Thank you for the happy memories of SJC.. .Stay close to my son, Sgt. Pete
Posted by Jo-Ann Maginnis
Carol was very special to me
Carol was very special to me.we went to St. Joseph's HS together and our favorite meeting place was the Chapel..I will never forget you Carol...rest with the Angels and Peter
Published by JoAnn Maginnis
Carol was our creative
Carol was our creative secretary at Doyle Dane Bernbach. She was a joy to work with and truly a kind and gentle soul. We will miss you Carol.
Posted by David Warren
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