Ann Marco

Ann Carbone Marco, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend went to her heavenly home on June 17, 2023, at the age of 74. After 4 ½ years of living with incurable Ovarian cancer, she died peacefully at home with her family by her side. Ann was a true hostess to the very end. She was welcoming to everyone. She lit up the room with love that beamed from within.
Ann was born March 16, 1949, in Brooklyn, NY to Jean and John Carbone. At age three, her family moved to Jacksonville, NC, and eventually settled in Raleigh, NC where they opened the Villa Capri and later the Casa Carbone restaurant. She was the oldest of five children. Ann attended Sacred Heart/Belmont Abbey College where she met and fell in love with her husband, Jim. They were married in 1972 and raised three beautiful daughters.
Professionally, Ann followed in her parents’ footsteps, in the food industry when she started a successful catering company. A few years later, she had the bold desire and courage to further her professional development as she trailblazed a career in the food sales industry. Ann was a well-respected sales executive for Macke Foods, Fancy Foods, Southern Foods, and US Foods. Through her grace, knowledge, and integrity, she was consistently recognized year after year for her sales achievements. More importantly, it was her kindness and genuine passion for helping others that superseded it all—this is where Ann mentored many in her field and fostered true lifelong friendships. She was referred to as “The patron saint of chefs in Raleigh.” Throughout her career and well into her retirement, Ann seized every opportunity to give back to the community. For over 25 years, she co-chaired the Interfaith Food Shuttle’s Taste of Hope and Blossoms of Hope fundraisers, which went to raise money to fight hunger in over seven counties.
Ann was a devout Catholic. Her faith was central to her being. She loved and lived her life for God and was a selfless servant. Ann was truly a beacon of light to all who knew her. She was active in the Women of Grace, Altar Guild, Thursday Theologians Bible Group, and chaired the Martha’s Ministry which provided meals for needy parishioners.
She leaves behind many friends and family who she has touched and enriched with her gracious love of God and community. In addition to her loving husband of nearly 51 years, she is survived by their three daughters: Jennifer (John) Prichard, Emily (Chase) Cameron, Julie (Travis) Finn, and seven grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Maria House, Gianine Carbone, and John Carbone. She is predeceased by her sister, Michele, and her parents, Jean and John Carbone.
The family expresses their deepest and sincerest thanks to Dr. James Parsons, Dr. Alisha Benner, Dr. Brittany Davidson, Dr. John Soper, Duke, and UNC Oncology and Transitions Hospice.
A memorial Mass celebrating Ann’s life will be held at 11 AM, Friday, June 30, 2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2718 Overbrook Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27608. The Mass will also be available via live stream at https://ourladyoflourdescc.org/livestream. The Rosary will be prayed in the church preceding the Mass at 10:30 AM.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where these funds will be used to establish a memorial ministry in Ann’s honor.