Carolyn Mcnally

Carolyn McNally was born on January 26, 1959 and died on Saturday, April 18, 2015 of complications related to breast cancer. She was 56 years old.

Raised in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, a mill town along the Allegheny River, Carolyn was the third child born to Harry and Pauline Levish. Fond memories are recalled by all of the Levish siblings of times at the family campground where they played outdoor games and explored the local creek catching creek "critters". As Carolyn grew, she learned the virtues of determination; hard work, honesty, and respect for others, traits that would help identify her throughout her life. As a member of the Highlands H.S. color guard, Carolyn got her first taste of travel when the band had the opportunity to participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The first impressions of New York City and the side trip to the United Nations made a lasting impression on Carolyn who was then determined to explore the world outside of Brackenridge.

Following graduation from High School as a member of the National Honor Society, Carolyn became the first in her family to leave home for a college education. The following reflections of Carolyn's time in college were collaborated by three of her college roommates and lifelong friends. "Carolyn earned her Bachelor's degree from a school just north of Pittsburgh, which in 1980 was called Clarion State College. As a freshman she majored in biology and immersed herself in the study of life as well as the enjoyment of it. From swimming in the Clarion River to hiking the trails of Cook Forest, being with Carolyn was always a story in the making. Her passion for life, people, their stories and fascination with understanding them all on a deeper level led her to change her major to anthropology. In keeping with her one-of-a-kind personality and her heritage, she studied Russian as her foreign language."

Following college, Carolyn's wanderlust and spirit of adventure took her to live and work in various cities around the country; first to Baltimore, then San Francisco, and finally Denver before returning to Western Pennsylvania. After a brief stint as a travel agent, Carolyn became a financial aid counselor and then career placement counselor at Computer Tech in Pittsburgh. It was here that her talents of organizing and helping others came to fruition. Carolyn would talk with pride of the number of graduating students she had successfully placed on rewarding career paths. From her position at Computer Tech, Carolyn became a recruiter, bringing qualified candidates to the attention of companies in need of specific talent. While working in downtown Pittsburgh, Carolyn joined several professional organizations and found the time to become a "Pittsburgh Ambassador" and to help with the local Children's Hospital fundraising campaigns. Always eager to expand her knowledge, Carolyn also pursued a Master's Degree from Carlow College in Professional Development.

Carolyn met Bill, her future husband, in January, 1999 and it wasn't long before she was telling family and friends she had met the "Love of Her Life". Carolyn and Bill were married on October 11, 2002 and a new chapter in Carolyn's life was started. They joined their households together and began a loving and caring relationship that grew ever stronger over their time together. Shortly after their marriage Bill was offered a position within U.S. Steel in Birmingham, Alabama and Carolyn enthusiastically endorsed their move. They settled into their new community and it wasn't long before Carolyn had a contract recruiting position and began to seek out organizations where she could make a contribution. Through their association at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Carolyn made contacts that would lead her to help with several activities including: the Giving Tree program at the church, a reading program to children with cancer at the local Children's Hospital, and participation in the local Literacy Council. Carolyn also found the time to instruct a small group of Hispanic families in ESL (English as a Second Language).

After four years in Birmingham another move within the company was offered to Bill and so it was off to Dallas, Texas to begin anew. It didn't take Carolyn long to find her niche. Once again she found herself seeking out organizations and activities where she could quietly participate. Never wanting to be in the lime light, Carolyn's goal was always to help but she soon found that her organizing skills and leadership made her an important part of whatever organization she joined. As a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton's Catholic community, Carolyn participated in the Prayer Quilt Ministry, the Women's Club, Meals and Rides, the AIDS supper club, and in various parish activities where she thought she could be of help.

After Bill retired in 2009, they made the decision to stay in Texas. Living in a close-knit neighborhood, Carolyn had made numerous friends who were always ready to help each other whatever their needs. Carolyn continued with her activities but now had a partner she could recruit to help her when needed. With Bill in retirement they could also do some of the traveling they had planned. After an initial visit they found themselves drawn to the island of Kauai and for several years would spend extended time on the island during the winter months. Carolyn's drive to help others did not stop when she was away from home and it wasn't long before she had volunteered in Kauai to participate in the weekly distribution of food to the homeless through St. William's parish and in the construction of two different homes and later the resale store for Habitat for Humanity.

Carolyn always maintained a strong commitment to family and every year trips were made to Western Pennsylvania and/or Maryland to attend family events and visit with her ailing Father. Bill and Carolyn always looked forward to these extended road trips to visit family and elsewhere where they could wander to explore new parts of the country together. During these sojourns one of Carolyn's favorite activities was observing people in everyday situations. When visiting Bill's son & his wife in New York City she would enjoy seeking a park bench or a restaurant table where she could quietly observe the people. It was following one of these trips in September of 2014 that Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer and began her 7-month long battle with the disease.

A selfless individual, Carolyn exuded genuine warmth that immediately put one at ease. Her passing will leave a void that will be hard to fill. She maintained a strong faith and, in the weeks prior to her death, tried to avoid the attention and help that others wanted to provide not wanting to inconvenience them or draw attention to her. Of Carolyn's many gifts to us, the ones that will be most lasting are the examples she left us to follow of a life filled with love, respect and help for others and the strong conviction of following your heart to always do the right thing.
Carolyn is survived by her husband Bill McNally, his son Bill McNally and his wife Daria, father Harry Levish, siblings Greg Levish and his wife Susan, Paul Levish and his wife Marsha, Joseph Levish and his wife Christy, Mary Venetos and her husband Mario, nieces and nephews Jason Levish, Janine Remaley, Michael Levish, Nicholas Levish, Jessica McWilliams, Brandi Levish, Dylan Levish, John Venetos, Eleni Venetos, aunts and uncles Leo Wasilowski and his wife Betty, Rose Demherter, George Skoda and his wife Marie. Carolyn was preceded in death by her mother Pauline Levish.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, Texas 75023 with Father Bruce Bradley, celebrant. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations are made in Carolyn's name to the Prayer Quilt Ministry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.