Carol L. Hondorf
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Rochester: Surrounded by her loving daughter and chosen family, Sunday, April 20, 2025. Predeceased by her loving parents, Hobart W. Hondorf and Jean B. Hondorf; family dogs, Jessie and Tobey. Survived by her daughter, Caitlin “Katie” Jean Anjoli Hondorf; granddog, Pierre-Poupon; aunt, Marilyn Faulkner; sister, Deborah Sue (Michael) Johnson; niece, Kristi (Ryan) Riell; nephew, Ryan Johnson; great-nieces, Adeline, Isabel and Victoria Riell.
Several of Carol’s friendships were long considered to be closer to that of extended family–deeply meaningful bonds forged in love and mutual respect, stretching across seven decades and guiding her until her last day on Earth:
-Peter, Pat, Larissa and Ben Cutulle
-Jean and Steve “The Boss” Erickson
-Cindy Darling-Fisher, Dan, Cara and Noah Fisher
-Marcy, Ray and Leah Kraus
-Peg and Jim Redka
-Linda and John Stende
-Barbara Sullivan, Bruce Popper and Dee Dee Popper
-Wendy and Paul Tuttobene
-Kathy Woodin and Kathy Wright
Born on Christmas Eve in 1949, Carol grew up in Greece, NY and graduated as salutatorian of her class at Greece Arcadia High School in 1967. She attended the University of Buffalo for two years before earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Cornell University in 1971. She worked at The Johns Hopkins Hospital with ill children before moving to New Mexico to work for the Indian Health Service as a community health nurse.
During one of the most transformative times in her life, Carol worked at Santa Clara Pueblo in Dulce and then transferred to Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan) Pueblo. There, she worked hard to earn her patients’ trust while navigating and respecting cultural changes, dutifully learning Jicarilla Apache to provide the best possible care during home visits. Carol was deeply touched when both communities fully embraced her, often inviting her to private family celebrations and communal milestone ceremonies or gifting her beautiful handmade artisanal pieces like pottery, jewelry and woven baskets–items she treasured for the rest of her life.
Carol continued her education at the University of Rochester, graduating with a master’s degree from the pediatric nurse practitioner program in 1978. She worked at the Anthony Jordan Health Center as a pediatric nurse practitioner until 1990. Carol moved to the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), where she worked in the pediatric ambulatory clinic (AC6) at Strong Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 2015. A fierce advocate for each of her patients, Carol tirelessly fought to ensure each child had the necessary resources to thrive and flourish at home, in the classroom, or through extracurricular activities.
A true believer in science, Carol loved nothing more than attending immunization conferences to learn about vaccine development and vaccine schedules for children; even in her final years, she participated in the URMC’s Memory Care Clinic study for Alzheimer’s research.
Beyond her professional life, Carol was deeply devoted to her family, especially her parents, Hobie and Jean, and her daughter, Katie. While planning her future in parenthood via adoption, Carol moved back to Rochester, steadfast in her hope that her child would have a special bond with her parents. After Hobie’s death, one of the best gifts she gave her family was the formation of a multigenerational household, which lasted for fourteen years. Together, they enjoyed going out to the movies and attending the 150th anniversary of the Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls. As Katie grew up, Carol and Jean were her constant cheerleaders in everything she pursued; however, they were often loudest on the sidelines of her field hockey games in middle and high school.
Carol also took on the role of caregiver for her mom, providing Katie with an intimate roadmap for caring for a parent at home. Katie took over the majority of caregiving responsibilities in the last two years of Jean’s life, and Carol’s lessons on love, respect, compassion, collective decision-making and advocacy shaped Katie’s journey as a primary caregiver for Carol over the last five years.
Katie would like to thank Carol’s friends in the Single Adoptive Parents group for their steadfast support and the staff at the Wegman Care Center (2nd floor) at St. Ann’s Home for their care of Carol, including, but not limited to: Christa, Erika, Gina, Lindsay, Marge, Matthew, Sharon, Raven, Tim, Toya, and Shanika.
No prior calling. Per Carol’s wishes, services held privately. In lieu of flowers and gifts, contributions may be made in her memory to either: UNICEF USA for measles, polio and other vaccines or The Carter Center.
Oh no, I am so sorry for your loss, for everyone’s loss who knew and loved Carol and for those who were never fortunate enough to have her in their lives.
Carol was an amazing woman and influence during my whole life and she will be deeply missed!! 😢💜 She is at peace now and in heaven with many loved ones.
I knew Carol as a PNP colleague. She was a wonderful NP and so thoughtful and kind hearted. The Fostering Hope
project misses her and her contribution as well. Thanks Katie for you steadfast care and love.
So sorry for your loss. Carol was not only a great NP, she was a wonderful person. We had many memorible conversations. She was a very special woman.
Carol was a role model to all Pediatrc NP. I worked with her on OPD4/AC6. She was so devoted to her patients and truly showed how things should be done.
Such a wonderful advocate for her patients an and mentor for pediatricians.
Sending love from one she helped train on AC6.
I was privileged to know and work with Carol for many years on OPD4 and AC6. I’d be hard pressed to find a more dedicated, caring and wonderful Pediatric NP than Carol. She truly cared for her patients and their families. And they loved her. Carol was usually the first to arrive to work and the last to leave. She documented meticulously, making it easier on any staff member that followed in caring for her patients.
She was a friend to all, frequently attending gatherings to celebrate a co-worker’s upcoming wedding or new baby. She clearly loved her family, frequently updating us on what was going on in her Katie’s life. She will be missed.
I’m very sorry for your loss, Katie.
Katie
Your mom loved nurturing and helping people, but most of all, children. I have some distinct memories of how she helped me when I was ill, how she assisted with interviewing people for a cognitive study, and lastly, my most recent encounter with her just a few days before her passing. I showed her a photo of my triplet great nieces, who had just come to visit. In spite of her discomfort and failing eyesight, she broke into a smile when I did this. It made me happy to see her smile. I know she is smiling now as she meets all who went before her, your grandparents and likely some of her pediatric patients .
Carol was one of the most hard working and brilliant people I’ve ever known. More importantly she was so ethical and devoted to her beliefs. She gave herself to her job, her family and her friends. She was
” chosen family” to our family for 40+ years. We all miss her.
We send our deepest sympathies for the loss of your incredible mother. We are sorry that we never got to meet her, but she raised a wonderful, compassionate, fierce and loyal daughter through whom we have come to “know” many parts of Carol. Miles and I know that her incredible strength, resilience, humor, and devotion to her beliefs live on in you and always will. Much love.
Carol was such a warm and caring provider and a reliable source of support to all pediatric residents during our training. She touched so many hearts while she was with us and we are all so grateful to have known her.
Carol
YOU were such an impressive person in my life – taught me such much about compassion and integrity and living life to the fullest
Katie – you are your moms legacy in giving to others and you will always make her proud.
May God hold all of you in the palm of HIS hand
God bless
Marty
Carol was such a wonderful person and pediatric nurse practitioner. I had the pleasure of working with her at the Anthony Jordan Health Center. Our paths continued to cross over the course of our journeys as pediatric nurse practitioners. She is so loved.
Blessings and peace to her family and friends.
Rebecca Ledwin, PNP-BC
Dearest Katie,
Deepest condolences to you and all of Carol’s family and friends. Some of my first memories involve her kindness, when we were oh so little!
Thinking of you and sending love.
Dear Katie, I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Carol in the Pediatric practice at URMC. She was the prototypical PNP and touch so many families and colleagues in very meaningful ways. She gave excellent guest lectures on immunization for our PNP and FNP students at the UR School of Nursing and also did a great job precepting. You might recall having a play date with my niece Catie many years ago. Carol has really left her mark on the world.
Carol was loved by all who were cared for by her and all who worked with her. She leaves a legacy of commitment to kindness and knowlegeable care for children and will always be remembered as a special colleague. But Katie, you were always her first love and her pride and joy. May your care for her is the final years of her life bring you comfort, knowing you were there for her when she needed you most.
The world has lost a brilliant and remarkable woman who I was honored to know most of my life. She brought kindness, joy and love to everyone. Carol was loved by all and will be so missed. Sending my deepest condolences and love to Katie, who did an incredible job caring for her in her final years, and Carol’s friends and family. ❤️❤️
Sending so much love to you, Katie. Thinking about your beautiful and amazing mother.