Carol was born and raised in Buffalo, NY.  She graduated from Mount Mercy High School and later from D'Youville College.  She went on to obtain a Master's Degree from Fredonia State University.  Carol was a reading and math specialist who worked in the Dunkirk City School District for forty years.  In 1971, Carol married Terry Mahoney of Jamestown, NY and they had one daughter, Megan, both of whom survive.

  Carol loved children and was passionate about teaching them to not just read and learn, but to enjoy what they were reading and learning.  Her compassion and skills were most apparent with children who had suffered trauma and poverty, as she could calm even the most anxious and upset souls.  She would run and rig jacket/toy raffles at school so that children without warm clothing "won" the jackets and mittens.  She was more than a teacher; she was an advocate for those in need.

Carol was an avid reader who took a great interest learning about human and animal rights, injustice and history.  She was an animal lover who became a vegetarian and then vegan after a trip to Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen.  Her main passion in life was helping her daughter, Megan and husband, Terry, expand "Celebration of Canine Lives Sanctuary," a small, non-profit, rescue organization the family created to help homeless dogs in need.  Carol was the organization's secretary and she spent every waking hour coming up with ways to help more animals and people in need.

   Carol could often be spotted praying the rosary for anyone and everyone while surrounded by the family's three cats, Ned, Betty Boo, and Verity, all of whom Carol loved dearly and was highly allergic to.

   Carol is predeceased by her Father (Harry Rudnick), Mother (Dolores Rudnick) and Brother (Ronald Rudnick).

  The family will receive friends at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street, Cuba, on Friday, January 16, 2025 from Noon until 1:00 P.M. at which time a Memorial Service will begin in the funeral home. Rev. Jeffrey Donovan, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to Celebration of Canine Lives Sanctuary via PayPal on the sanctuary's website (celebrationofcaninelives.com) or with written check made out to: Celebration of Canine Lives Sanctuary, 1401 Carpenter Hill Rd., Cuba, NY 14727.