Barbara A. Carnavale Memorial

BAC Foundation would like to invite Cranston Residents to the BAC Foundation Silent Auction and Raffle. The money raised will be used for a scholarship that will be given out next year to honor Barbara A Carnavale. Please read below to lean more about the efforts the BAC Foundation are making to honor such a great young lady.

" Life has taught me that people will remember you not for what you said, not for what you did, but how you made them feel !" Barbara A. Carnevale

2/28/2012

The BAC Foundation, cause and website has been created to honor Barbara A. Carnevale  a  beloved friend , daughter , sister , colleague , teammate , student , cancer fighter , “auntie” , cousin , daughter-in-law , sister-in-law , attorney ,  proud pet owner, patriot , fiancée and wife in the end. This is a testament of her selfless devotion to the happiness of others. A reflection of her achievements and inspirational confrontation with breast cancer.  A tribute to her soul who’s brightness shined in life, continues to in the ones she touched, and will forever “Shine On” here in the BAC.

Barbara A. Carnevale, Esquire, 33, of Peabody and formerly of Cranston, Rhode Island, passed away early morning January 16,2012  at the Kaplan Family Hospice House Danvers MA, following a courageous battle against  breast cancer.  Carnevale was a young professional woman of sharp intellect, good humor, unique style, genuine care and effortless grace.   “ She did nothing half way ..she didn’t strive to meet expectations: she gave 150% to everything in life , living with a unique zest, and a Barbara Style .”   Those close to her would say.  

Carnevale was first diagnosed with genetic positive BRAC1 triple negative breast cancer in early 2009. A hereditary cancer that although accounts for a small percentage of all woman affected by breast cancer it remains one of the most difficult to treat. Barbara’s mother died of the same disease just six months prior to the hour, and her grandmother had been a breast cancer victim before that.  Barbara would end up taking an aggressive approach to her disease as she did almost every challenge in her life.  Time and time again Barbara would be faced by complication and setbacks that most people would have found insufferable. Only five days prior to her passing would she concede treatment of the disease and at the suggestion of doctors address her comfort and pain solely. Until her last breath her spirit would remain resolute, grateful and gracious. 

Barbara educated herself on her disease as she did everything in life. She utilized the most advanced alternative and traditional trial treatments known for her cancer. When ever meet with unfavorable results said   " I would like to think regardless of the outcome for me I am providing valuable trial data and help to those unfortunate woman who have to follow me ! ". 

"Barbara, hands down, is the bravest and strongest person I have ever, and will ever, come to know!, "     said Michael Whitehead who stood by her during her entire struggle. The two would become engaged upon cancer’s return in April of 2011 the proposal coming on Barbara's 33rd birthday.     "In the company of Barbara you would of never known how much pain and disease her body actually carried ( I knew )…and Barbara always maintained her spiritual and physical beauty.…You are the other half of me Baby !… she would say,  never faltering to be that for me right up until the end ! "    Whitehead said.

"Two days before she passed away, she told me, 'I am still fighting! I am not giving up!'. She gave that to people; that attitude of 'Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something.”      said Meghan Murphy her close childhood friend. Friends and family who visited her in the hospital arrived devastated and always left her side feeling better about everything. 

 She was an inspiration to woman and hoped her friends could take away a positive message from her experience. Even on her death bed Barbara wanted to help others. She shared her strength, courage, hope and smiled thankfully for all she had when faced with the end.  After her initial diagnosis and prior to the start of cancer treatment in 2009 Barbara would have to quickly chose to delay the start of chemo begin her battle by first undergoing fertilization preservation.  A risk for multiple reasons, and a complex process with the hopes of someday being able to conceive healthy children of her own. A choice and cost many pre-cancer treatment women are faced with as health insurance companies would not cover infertility until it actually existed. Through perseverance and pride Barbara wrote the insurance company into a position of accepted coverage, a first she was advised by the hospital.  Barbara loved children and related to them so well. She seemed to appreciate and experience everyday life from a similar zestful child-like perspective. Eventually the doctors would tell Barbara she would not be able to have children of her own, this would be perhaps the most profound negative news she would receive impacting her most of all. In the end, Barbara hoped to indirectly inspire her friends’ children as a strong example to their moms. She drew strength from envisioning lessons that might be taught to these children as a result of her acts in years to come after her passing. That is who she was and taught to be, a young courageously grateful and giving woman.  Barbara's mother was her best friend and it was clear how much of an influence Nancy Carnevale was on her. The two of them together had charisma that brightened everything around them, that now shines down from above as the two best friends are together again watching over us. 

She was born in Providence, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of Generuso "Skip" Carnevale of Cranston, RI, and the late Nancy (McGuirl) Carnevale. She was raised and educated in Cranston, RI and had lived in Peabody for the past 5 years and Massachusetts for the last 10. She maintained a closeness and love for her family that was evident in the respect and caring she demonstrated if she came to know yours. Some say Barbara got the gift of brightness and intellect from her mother. Nancy was an exceptional educator for most of her life and had Barbara reading before the age of two. Barbara attended Cranston High School East, a proud Thunderbolt. She graduated from Suffolk University in 2000 and continued her education at Suffolk Law School and was a commencement speaker at her graduation in 2003. She was the Managing Editor for Suffolk Law’s Journal of High Technology Law, and at the time provided legal services to indigent veterans through Shelter Legal Services Foundation of Newton. After graduating from Suffolk Law School, she passed the Bar exam and started working at Zwicker and Associates, PC in Andover as a civil litigator for seven years working her way to Assistant Vice President title. In 2006 she would be accepted by the US District Court in Washington DC to practice law.  

Barbara considered herself a patriot who had a love and respect for her country and anyone who wore a uniform in its name civilian and/or military. Barbara was involved with politics recently assisting in Scott Brown’s campaign for MA senate. "She had the resolve of a republican and the heart of a democrat willing and able to debate for either." said Michael Whitehead. 

Barbara supported civil rights for woman, minorities, the disable and alternative communities. She felt if the people and government could assist these communities in need they should equally. She believed communities should not take advantage or abuse the very system that provided this equality and that each individual be given them same opportunity provided they we’re willing to work for it. She believed in a shared American dream and that giving back was part of that dream. It may be fitting that God chose to take this angel on MLK day, as she too had a similar dream, and in her very short life seemed to have lived it.

            At a young age Barbara became a black belt in Kempo “martial - art of the fist “. She was a star athlete, played field hockey and was on the swim team, president of the student council, master of ceremonies at talent shows, a top student involved in every club and activity, and even found time to always hold down a job. While in school Barbara had spent summers giving back to society. She worked for Habitat for Humanity and The imPOSSIBLE DREAM a company dedicated to providing disabled children with cancer and others disease a safe playground and environment in which to play.

Barbara loved to be active as well, she came to enjoy and respect the outdoors, skiing, hiking, and getting closer and nature. Perhaps this was a result of knowing her time on earth was short, living with a present stillness, respect and appreciate for all things godly. She held a special place in her heart for her dog Soto who she always said “ is going to live forever “. A sad reality for her but a bond the two would share until the end with Soto frequently visiting her in the hospital accompanied by dear friends.  She also enjoyed playing the guitar, photography, and was currently writing her autobiography.  A story promised to be told and shared in the near future.

"Life has taught me that people will remember you not by what you said, not by what you did, but how you made them feel."   Barbara scribed in one of her journals as she reflected on what was truly important in life realizing she had always been doing just that. Toward the end of Barbara’s courageous battle she was able to free herself of all things material, free her soul from ego , surround herself with the ones she loved , and transcend our world peacefully from Michael’s arms. Leaving us her lesson’s of selfless love, commitment to better one’s self and the ability to make us all smile/shine. 

Please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/barbaraacarnevalefoundation/