Caroline Fratturo Obituary

Caroline Charlotte Pritchard Fratturo, 98, surrounded by earthly and heavenly angels, slipped peacefully into the arms of Jesus on April 12, 2026.

Caroline was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Harold and Margaret (Bull) Pritchard. She was predeceased by her husband, Jules P. Fratturo; and her brother, Ellard Pritchard. She is survived by her four daughters: Christine Anne Fratturo and Gina G. Fratturo of Greenville, SC; Lisa F. Griffin (Scott) of Cherryville, NC; and Michele F. Bull (Marion) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two grandchildren, Elijah M. Bull of Pleasant Hill, CA, and Carolina M. Bull of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two brothers, Kent Pritchard (Helen) of Poughkeepsie, NY, and Karl Pritchard of Edenton, NC; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Caroline's selflessness and compassionate care for those she loved defined her life.

At the tender age of 12, Caroline's father died, and she immersed herself in helping her mother raise and care for her three younger brothers. She became a registered nurse and cared for patients in hospitals in New York and Connecticut. After she married and raised a family, she continued caring for others-her husband, his cousin and two sisters, as well as close friends she considered family.

A blind date introduced her to Jules Fratturo. Sparks flew, and they married just over a year later. He nicknamed her "Red" for the way her dark brown locks caught the sunlight, and he used that name affectionately throughout their 45-plus years together.

A devoted mother to four daughters, Caroline poured herself into their lives-Girl Scouts, art, ballet, basketball, softball, soccer, and swim team. She sewed dresses, buttons, hems, curtains, and costumes, and encouraged each of them to be as creative, curious, strong, and independent as she was.

Jules and her daughters always came first, yet Caroline found countless hours to volunteer in her community. She was a longtime volunteer for St. Mary's School and Parish, St. Francis Women's Auxiliary, Girl Scouts of America, Loaves & Fishes, and the Greenville Free Medical Clinic. She was also a tireless advocate for the neighborhoods in which she lived. When their safety and value were threatened by growth, she was a regular-and vocal-attendee at county zoning and planning commission meetings.

Her gardens were her escape, her therapy, and her source of joy. She grew camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and pyracanthas, but roses were her favorite. She coaxed many varieties from seedlings into bushes brimming with color.

A petite woman, Caroline hid her strength well-until you went bowling with her. She proudly carried and threw her own 16 lb ball, steadfastly ignoring the pleas from her children and grandchildren to use a lighter one.

Caroline enjoyed a good joke or funny story, and the depth and liveliness of her laugh made everyone who knew her look forward to delivering the punchline just to hear her joy.

In her 70s, she took up golf. She quickly became hooked and thoroughly enjoyed her time playing with the 9 Holers at Thornblade. Caroline even recorded the most elusive shot of all-a hole-in-one. In recent years, her physical therapy included practice putting on a rolled-out green in her living room. Family putting contests were common, and she never gave up hope that she would return to the course again.

When life and her body slowed, her love for birds and words took over. Songbirds and hummingbirds always found a meal at her feeders. Caroline worked The New York Times crossword puzzle daily-in ink. When Wordle came along, she was a whiz. She remains the undisputed Word Chums and Scrabble champion within the family.

Words mattered to Caroline. She never spared an "I love you," and she ended every phone call with the same simple question: "Is there anything I can do for you?" It was more than a phrase-it was how she lived. Her life was a testament to selflessness and steadfast devotion to those she loved.

While our hearts are heavy, we are deeply grateful for the love she gave so freely and the countless ways she showed up for others. We will honor her by carrying that same spirit forward-caring for and loving one another, just as she always did. Caroline will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 2252 Woodruff Rd., Simpsonville, SC 29681. A gathering for family and friends will follow in the parish center. Memorials may be made to the Greenville Free Medical Clinic (PO Box 8993, Greenville, SC 29604).

"You were an angel in the shape of my mum... Spread your wings, and I know that when God took you back, He said, 'Hallelujah, you're home.'" - from "Supermarket Flowers" by Ed Sheeran

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