Obituary of Carol K. Lucas

Carol Crystal Kestler Lucas of Bemus Point, NY, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 in her home on Thursday, January 4, 2024. Carol was born December 6, 1936, in Jamestown, NY, a daughter of the late Crystal F. Weborg Kestler and John William Kestler. Carol was a 1951 graduate of SS Peter and Paul Parochial School and a 1954 graduate of Jamestown High School. She went on to graduate from Millard Fillmore Hospital School of Nursing, Buffalo, NY, in 1958. Carol always felt being a nurse defined who she was. She loved her patients and was respected by all her colleagues. Following graduation, Carol worked at Millard Fillmore Hospital as a registered nurse. She then returned to Jamestown and worked at Jamestown General Hospital from 1960 to 1988, when the hospital closed. At J.G.H., Carol was a nursing supervisor and then the nursing coordinator of the emergency department. In earlier years she was an instructor for the Jamestown School of Practical Nursing. Carol continued her profession at the former WCA Hospital in various departments including administrative nurse. Also at this time, she pursued traveling nursing in Palm Springs and Ojai, California in the winter months. Her last job before retirement was at the Visiting Nursing Association of Jamestown. Many of her patients were former patients she had cared for in the hospital setting. They all shared their appreciation for the excellent care they had received from Carol. She was baptized, confirmed and a communicant of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Carol loved living on Chautauqua Lake in Bemus Point in the former home of her grandparents where she had spent summers as a child. She enjoyed swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing and most recently sitting on the deck reading a book and appreciated looking at the lake. Her fondest memories included travelling to all the Hawaiian Islands, spending most of her time in Maui, vacationing in Arizona with her parents, family 4th of July celebrations, motorcycling, casino, golfing, tennis, skiing, and bike riding. More than anything she enjoyed times spent with family. She loved all her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children. Carol is survived by her loving family including her cherished friend JoAnn R. Nelson of Bemus Point, NY; three brothers William H. Kestler of Jamestown, NY, James T. (Becky) Kestler of Kennedy, NY, and Richard M. (Susan) Kestler of Jamestown, NY; nieces and nephews Ann Kestler of Dunedin, FL, Jill (Dan) Gundersen of Naperville, IL, Laurie (Dave) Miller of Bemus Point, NY, James (Nicki) Kestler of Lakewood, NY, William Kestler of Frewsburg, NY, Lisa Kestler of Jacksonville, FL, Matthew Kestler of Jamestown, NY, Jaimee Mix of Falconer, NY, and Thomas Mix of Pittsburgh, PA and several great nieces and nephews. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Katherine Kestler Mix Brodt March 17, 1996. In keeping with Carol's wishes, no funeral service or visitation will be observed. A private family burial will take place at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be made to SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 27 Allen Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, St Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, P.O. Box 500, Bemus Point, NY 14712, or Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.