Carol DeCoste MacKay, 72, of Andover passed peacefully at home on December 6, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. Carol was born and raised in Melrose, Massachusetts, the daughter of Esther and Leonard DeCoste. She graduated from the Tufts/Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene in Boston and practiced dental hygiene for many years in dental and orthodontic offices in West Hartford and Willimantic CT. In 1963, Carol married Bruce MacKay and until his death in 2008, they spent 44 years together raising four children, maintaining their 40 acres of Andover woodlands and sugar bush; building a cottage in Newbury, Vermont as their second home; vacationing in St. John U.S. Virgin Islands; and enjoying their six grandchildren. Carol has been an active member of the Andover community for over 50 years. Carol was an intelligent, creative and spirited woman, and her talents were many. She was an expert on antique furniture, including Margolis, Fineberg and Colonial, and enjoyed attending auctions; fashioned beautiful custom jewelry; created flower and vegetable gardens in Connecticut and Vermont; wrote beautifully; was proficient in sewing, knitting and needlework; read extensively, especially historical fiction; and baked a mouth-watering apple pie. In mid-June, she looked forward with great anticipation to her field of abundant lupine blooms in Vermont. Carol's life was enriched by her love of music. With Carol Howard, she led the Junior Choir at the Andover Congregational Church and a Children's Choir at St. Columba's Church in Columbia CT. Carol was secretary of the Andover Rural Music Committee which sponsored local musical events and was a precursor of today's Hop River Chamber Music concerts. For over a decade she was a member of The Rainy Day Trio with two friends who shared her love of folk music. The Trio performed in various venues around Connecticut. Carol's strong voice usually carried the melody. Carol also served as Secretary of the Andover Historical Society; was a cantor at St. Columba's for many years; volunteered for hospice; took part in Andover Community Club plays; and volunteered for the Salvation Army. She was a member of the Fifth Wheel, a Manchester area social club and support group. Carol also supported many charities including the Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital, The Smile Train, Heffer International and the Newbury VT Library. Carol lived her life with compassion and caring for others, and enjoyed spending time with her friends. She especially enjoyed the summer and winter solstice gatherings. She cherished her many friendships and nurtured them in countless ways - thoughtful gifts, beautifully written tributes, and truly amazing thank you notes! Carol was a true "Rainy Day Friend" - always there when you needed her. She set an example for us all in how to enjoy life, and have compassion for others. Carol's strength and courage during her valiant struggle with cancer was an inspiration to all who knew her. She took charge of her illness by building knowledge with extensive research to choose her doctors and guide her treatments. She rarely complained and actively participated in life until only a short time before her death. She has been a source of strength to many as a 17-year breast cancer survivor. She is survived by four children: son Brian and wife Kristen of Ayer, Massachusetts; daughter Michelle and husband Yann of Manhattan, NY; twin sons Scott of Manchester, CT and Kevin of Simsbury, CT and six grandchildren: Caitlyn, Mathis, Christopher, Connor, Jules and John. She is also survived by four sisters in Massachusetts: Kay, Lindy, Jean and Jackie. She leaves many close and long-time friends behind who were amazingly supportive and loving. They were a second family to her. Friends may call on Friday, December 11th, from 4:00-7:00PM at the Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St, Manchester. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 12th, at 1:00PM at the First Congregational Church of Andover, 359 Route 6, Andover. Burial will follow in Townsend Cemetery. Carol's family would like to give special thanks to Doctor Clifford Hudis, Chief of the Breast Cancer Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Doctor Patricia Defusco of the Connecticut Multispecialty Group, her long time oncologists, for their wise advice, loving care and continued support. The family would also like to thank Dawn and the other kind nurses at the Wethersfield Infusion Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Memorial Sloan Kettering Breast Cancer Research, The Andover Congregational Church, Andover Historical Society, Newbury Vermont Town Library or Andover Town Library.