Carol Ann (O'Brien) Vera

Carol Ann Vera was surrounded by family and friends when she slipped the bonds of this world and entered eternity.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Carol Ann O’Brien was the third child of Thomas O’Brien and Carolina Camarada. She attended St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, Massachusetts, graduating with the Class of 1960. After graduation, she went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse, graduating from St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in 1962. The friendships she formed during those years lasted a lifetime.

In 1963, she met Robert Vera, who had just completed his military service. The beautiful nurse fell in love with the soldier, and in 1964 they married and moved to Brighton, Massachusetts, to start a family. Their marriage was a lasting bond that endured for sixty-three years. Together, they welcomed their first child, Caroline, followed ten months later by Robert Jr., and later their third child, Randall. All three children were born at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where Carol had both studied and worked.

Carol was called to be a caregiver, and she delivered that care with her whole being, through her deeds, thoughts, and prayers. One of her greatest professional experiences was working as a nurse at Boston College Health Services. She loved caring for students and built special bonds with many of her patients. Although she retired from Boston College Health Services, she refused to give up nursing and caring for others. She began a new chapter at Harvard Vanguard, where she had the privilege of working alongside some of her closest friends.

Carol’s life was defined by faith, family, and friendship. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, a place of support and refuge during her final days.

Carol was the most loyal of friends and cherished lifelong relationships with Ann Mulligan, Claire O’Leary, Felicia Rooney, Louise Stewart, and Martha Cronin. Together, they shared regular excursions to South Boston to enjoy seafood, meet for tea, or sit together on Carol’s front porch chatting with the college students who passed by her home.

She was immensely proud of her three children: Caroline, Robert, and Randall. When Robert’s wife, Kathryn, joined the family, Carol gained a new daughter. The pair would talk for hours, and “Nanny visits” to Arizona became treasured occasions.

She poured her love into her eight grandchildren: Casey Grace Melia, Caroline Cotugno, Olivia Metcalf-Vera, Haylee Grace Vera, Grace Metcalf-Vera, Matthew Robert Vera, Griffin Mellyn, and Victoria Vidito. On her final day on earth, she had the privilege of witnessing the Holy Baptism of Madeline Cotugno, her first and only great-grandchild.

Carol was preceded in death by her mother, Carolina Camarada, and her father, Thomas O’Brien. She is survived by her husband, Robert Vera Sr., of Brighton, Massachusetts; her brother, Tom O’Brien, of Florida; her sister, June Kelly, of Yarmouth, Massachusetts; her daughter, Caroline Vera, and son-in-law, Jack Patterson, of Scituate, Massachusetts; her son, Robert Vera Jr., and daughter-in-law, Kathryn Ann Sheppard, of Phoenix, Arizona; her son, Randall Vera, of Brighton, Massachusetts; Melissa Metcalf of Dedham, Massachusetts, mother of Caroline, Grace, and Olivia; Elizabeth Mellyn of Newton, Massachusetts, mother of Griffin; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and many friends who became family.

Heaven’s gain is our profound loss. The echo of Carol’s life, full of empathy, compassion, and courage, will live on through all who knew her and all who were cared for by her.

A Mass of Celebration honoring Carol Vera will be held at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

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