Helen B. (Trainer) Carr died at her home in Southampton on June 11, just 12 days before her 95th birthday.
Ms. Carr was born June 23, 1921, in Central Falls, Connecticut, to Harold A. Trainer and Sarah E. (Fraser) Trainer. Her family moved to Coventry, Rhode Island, where she graduated from Coventry High School, earning the senior superlative of “Miss Dependable.” As an active 4-H member, she was featured on radio programming as “Peggy Clover.” Choosing to study nursing, she graduated from the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Pawtucket, RI, and garnered special recognition for her speed and proficiency administering the Sister Kenny treatment to patients victimized by polio. While visiting a family in her care, Peter F. Carr asked her to a hospital dance. They married on January 30, 1945.
Ms. Carr chose a career as a public health nurse, visiting neighborhoods and homes in service of the poor and disadvantaged. The Carr family traveled the thoroughbred racing circuit, eventually settling in New York. After welcoming a second child, Ms. Carr stopped working outside the home in nursing. However, she did become the “neighborhood nurse,” ready to provide first aid, wipe a tear or apply a Band-Aid. As their family grew, they continued to travel for her husband’s career in racing. This took them to Hialeah, Florida, in the winter and Saratoga, during the summer, but Long Island was home. Along with her husband, she conceptualized and created a health care insurance program for the New York State Jockey Agents’ Benevolent Association, a program Ms. Carr administered long after her husband’s death.
Although she hadn’t played for years, Ms. Carr developed a love of golf, which she shared with her husband. Whether attending a symphony at Carnegie Hall, a ballet at The Met, cabaret at The Algonquin or a Broadway show, she loved music and the arts. Her love for poetry—both reading and writing—lasted throughout her lifetime. With her ability to make friends easily, she was treasured by everyone who knew her. Dedication to her family was at the core of everything she did throughout her life. She was an extraordinarily caring person, survivors said.
Ms. Carr is survived by daughters, Karen and wife Yvette Christofilis of Westchester, and Sharon of Southampton; a brother, Arthur of Rhode Island; a grandson, Kevin of Arkansas; and friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter Sr. in 1985; and a son, Peter Jr. in 2014.
A funeral Mass and graveside memorial service in Coventry will be announced at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, lls.org; American Heart Association, heart.org; East End Hospice, eeh.org, The Hospital for Special Surgery’s Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, hss.edu; or the Group For The East End, groupfortheeastend.org.
on Jul 5, 2016