Carol Della Pietra

RICHMOND, Ind. – Carol (Knoll) Della Pietra died peacefully surrounded by family at Reid Hospital on February 15, 2025. She is survived by her children, Kirk Knoll (Cindy), Doug Knoll, Patrick Knoll (Kristin), Amy Knoll (Mark), stepsons, Steven Della Pietra (Pam), Vincent Della Pietra (Barb), grandchildren, Jack and Aubrey Knoll, Miranda Mellendorf, Donald Della Pietra, Ava Della Pietra, and Emily Della Pietra. She is predeceased by her first husband, Raymond J. Knoll, and her second husband, Joseph Della Pietra. Carol was born in Richmond, Indiana on September 6, 1936, to Floreene (Maines) McConaha and Byrl McConaha. She was an only child, and her father died in a tragic accident when she was just 4 years old. She grew up on the West side of Richmond in a house her father built at 221 N.W. J Street. When she was in 5th grade her mother married her stepfather, Loren “Cliffy” Clifton, whom Floreene met while both worked at Taylors Candy Company and the family moved to his home in El Dorado, Ohio. Carol attended school in West Manchester, Ohio through high school. She then attended the prestigious Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1957. Carol moved back to Richmond and began her nursing career at Reid Memorial Hospital before becoming a nursing assistant for Dr. Tritchute in Lewisburg, Ohio. Carol enjoyed the theater and became a protégé of the co-founder and Director of Richmond Civic Theater, Norbert Silbiger. In 1958, she played the character made famous by Marilyn Monroe in “The Seven Year Itch” when she met a theater usher volunteering for the Jaycees, Raymond J. Knoll. Ray was a lawyer at Harrison & Knoll (which later became Knoll, Kolger & Sowers, now the oldest law firm in Wayne County), a World War II veteran from the Army (serving in the European Theater and the Battle of the Bulge), and a 34 year-old bachelor whom his friends considered an old maid (people got married a LOT younger back then). They were both smitten and married in Richmond in 1959. Taking up residence on 20th Street behind their church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, they had four children in the 1960’s, Kirk, Doug, Patrick and Amy. Carol took a hiatus from nursing during this time, became a member of the Board for the Red Cross, and taught birthing classes for the RC (she had quite a bit of experience by that time). Carol, tired of staying home caring for a bunch of bratty kids, went back to work in 1977. She resumed her career in the nursing home industry before rejoining the staff at Reid and teaching part-time at Ivy Tech. In 1991 Ray lost his courageous battle with COPD from complications of smoking that began during the war. Now a widow, Carol went on a cruise with her mother (Florene) and daughter (Amy) in 1994. There, while at dinner on the cruise ship, she met a handsome Italian widower from New York named Joseph Della Pietra. This chance meeting changed the course of both their lives. After the cruise, each returned home but continued to correspond, and a relationship blossomed into marriage in the spring of 1995. Carol also retired from nursing in 1995. Carol and Joe resided in both New York and her beloved hometown of Richmond. Joe was fiercely devoted to Carol and took exceptional care of her, almost to the very end, as Joe died at the age of 97 on Tuesday, February 11, just four days before Carol. Joe and Carol traveled all over the world but also made frequent trips to Joe’s hometown of Maiori, Italy, a beautiful small town on the Amalfi coast. During her life, Carol enjoyed singing in the choir and playing the piano and organ at St. Paul’s, cooking, being a wife and caregiver, and telling her kids what to do, even when they were adults. She was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial contributions may be made to: Friends Fellowship Community Endowment Fund, 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Carol Della Pietra

September 6, 1936 - February 15, 2025