Old Forge, NY - Carol Dillingham Rivet, of Old Forge, NY, died peacefully at her son Jeff's home in Saratoga Springs, NY on June 27.  She was 78 years old.

Carol was born August 18, 1941 in Trenton, NJ.  She was the daughter of Howard Irving Dillingham and Josephine Hammond Dillingham.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1959 and attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, magna cum laude, in 1963.  She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

Carol married William "Bill" Floyd Rivet, Jr. on August 10, 1963 in Old Forge, NY at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church.  She taught special education in Canton, NY during Bill's senior year at St. Lawrence University, and after he graduated in 1964, they moved to Ft. Sill, OK.

They returned to Old Forge in 1967.  They eventually built a home on Hollywood Road, where they raised a family and spent many happy years.

Carol is predeceased by her husband, Bill; her son, Mark; her sister, Elizabeth Dillingham Kress; and her parents.  She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Nicole Rivet and Al Ferguson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her son, Jeff Rivet of Saratoga Springs, NY; her grand-daughter, Porter Rivet of Los Angeles, CA; and her grandson, Maxwell Rivet of Saratoga Springs, NY.

Carol was a fiercely private woman who did not like to ask for or accept help – even when she was caring for Bill during his final years while struggling with her own health issues.  She adored her husband and cherished her family.  Her favorite times were when the whole family gathered at the house on Hollywood Road – particularly Christmas mornings when she was the first to rise and the first to sip a holiday mimosa.  She was a devoted mother who nurtured her children's love of art, adventure, and athletics, instilling a lifetime passion for those pursuits.  She taught them to water ski and to drive stick shift, and even offered up her car for their respective learning curves.

Carol was an avid reader, bridge player and Netflix buff.  She traveled extensively throughout her lifetime – and in 2009 was able to realize her lifelong dream to go on a wildlife-viewing safari in Tanzania with her daughter Nicole because Bill was terrified of snakes and refused to accompany her.

Carol did not want a memorial service, but there will be a gathering at McCauley Mountain in late July to celebrate her life.  Any gifts or donations in her memory can be made to Herkimer County Hospice or View in Old Forge.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com