Webster: Saturday, July 2, 2022, 10 days shy of her 81st birthday. Carol was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Loretta (Keehn) Merkel, beloved Aunt Fritz Manchen, cousins Kathy Burns and Tim Merkel, longtime business partner and close friend Nancy Skelton. She is survived by cousins Terry, Tom, Todd and Ted Merkel and their and Tim's families, special cousins-in-law Chris Burns and Cyndy Merkel, longtime friends Ron Luepke and Suzie Roumpapas, beloved cat Samantha and many, many friends.
Carol was a native of Irondequoit and spent most of her career in the insurance industry. After graduating from The American College as a Certified Life Underwriter she worked for and with many insurance companies and agencies before she and Nancy founded KAFL, Inc., Insurance Brokerage and Financial Services in 1991. As women, they were pioneers in a field dominated by men and achieved great success in their venture.
Carol's love of and devotion to animals, nature and conservation was well known. She was a decades-long volunteer at the Seneca Park Zoo, helped to found their Conservation Committee, was deeply involved in the Zoo's partnerships in Madagascar and traveled extensively to support the work of ZACC, Zoos & Aquariums Committing to Conservation.
Many thanks to Tammy Bassett for her wonderful caregiving and also the staff at Rochester General Hospital. Donations in Carol's memory can be made to the Seneca Park Zoo Society, Best Friends Animal Society or a wildlife organization of your choice.
Friends are welcome Wednesday, July 13th 10-11am with a Prayer Service at 11am at Profetta Funeral Chapel, 1650 Empire Blvd., Webster. Interment Private.