Carol A. DeMarco

Carol A “Honey” Girolami DeMarco, 77, of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025. She was the loving wife of James F. DeMarco. They were married 57 years on August 17th.

Honey was born on July 9, 1948 in Albany, New York. Daughter of the late Armand and Caroline (Valle) Girolami. She retired from New York State Department of Health after 11 years of service. She previously worked as a teachers aide for nine years at Rensselaer Middle School.

In addition to her husband, Honey is also survived by a son, James E. DeMarco (Denise Goyer); daughter, Lea Jean DeMarco; two granddaughters, Marisa DeMarco and Carly DeMarco; and brother, Armand Girolami (Nancy Casatelli). She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Gregory A. DeMarco and a brother, Joseph Girolami.

Honey & Jim were married in August 1968. Shortly after they enjoyed many wonderful years traveling throughout the United States and Canada for Jim‘s career, with their children, making many lifelong friends along the way. Eventually they moved back to New York, spending 28 years living in the city of Rensselaer, before retiring to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2016 where building new friendships enriched her life greatly.

Their 57 years of marriage has many highlights, including wonderful travels throughout the United States, in particular Las Vegas, Nevada, where their daughter resides. Honey‘s favorite destination was the Hawaiian islands where they traveled to seven times! In retirement, Honey & Jim enjoyed a very luxurious Viking river boat cruise throughout Europe to celebrate their love.

Known for her spectacular baking abilities, everybody loved Honey‘s cookies and desserts. She loved to cook for her family and friends. Her special recipes for Italian sauce and lasagna, along with her homemade bread, are legendary. The tradition of making homemade pasta with Jim and her family has provided many years of love, laughter, and precious memories. Jim is now known as the professional taste tester!

Honey was a devoted Mother to Jimmy and Lea. She was so proud to watch her children grow up and keep her family values and traditions alive. Honey loved to visit her daughter Lea in Las Vegas every Thanksgiving. The title of bingo queen quickly became a tradition as well! She also looked forward to going to Turning Stone Casino in New York for the annual “big bingo". Since she was always the luckiest, Honey actually won the big prize one year! After all of these years, Jim has never once had the pleasure of yelling BINGO at any of these locations!

As often as possible, Honey and Jim would visit her son, Jimmy and his family in Indian Land, South Carolina. Jimmy inherited Honey‘s love of music. She loved to share videos of Jimmy playing in his rock band. Honey always thought of Denise as her own daughter, sharing her love of family values and caring advice on motherhood.

The limitless love that she had for her grand-girls was known to everybody. She loved to share family stories featuring all of the amazing experiences they had together. Always present in her mind, memories and photos of Marisa and Carly were lovingly displayed in her home.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025 at the W.J. Lyons Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, New York. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Third Avenue Extension, Rensselaer, New York.