Carol Dandrade

Carol Anne Benzon Dandrade, 74, a resident of Lewes, Delaware, died Jan. 23 surrounded by her family. Carol, daughter of Lewis and Eleanor Benzon, was born in Philadelphia and raised in Malverne, Long Island, New York, and Ocean City, New Jersey. She was the wife of her loving husband of 54 years, Robert John Dandrade, and mother of four wonderfully caring children, Lauren Michelle Boyle (Peter) of Pascoag, Rhode Island, Kevin Robert Dandrade (Tracey) of Auburn, New Hampshire, Paul Lewis Dandrade (Amy) of Chesapeake, Maryland, and Samantha Michelle Dandrade of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Carol treasured her five grandchildren, Nicholas, Ella, Gabriel, Nathan and Alexander. Carol also is survived by her siblings, Barbara Richardson of Hopkinton, Judith D’Andrade (James) of Avondale, Pennsylvania, and Gary Benzon (Linda) of Lewes, Delaware.

Carol graduated from Ocean City High School in New Jersey. She received her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and worked for First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Zymark Corp, the National Park Service and Wayside Youth and Family Services. She volunteered in many church and community activities.

Carol was a passionate advocate for neglected and abused children as a foster parent to seven children, working as a family partner at Wayside, volunteering as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA)/guardian ad litem (GAL) for 15 years, and serving on the CASA Board of Directors and Framingham Department of Social Services Board. She became a photography enthusiast later in life, winning awards and having her photographs published. She led the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photographers to capture history for the national park. She and her husband were avid kayakers.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to The CASA Project, 100 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605 (casaworcestercounty.org).

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