Carol Hausen

ALBANY - Carol Webel Waitkus Hausen died peacefully on August 20, 2025, Surrounded by her family at the age of 96. Carol was a true blue lifelong Albanian. Carol was born on a beautiful fall day, October 26, 1928, to B. Kenneth Webel and Katherine Forrest Webel. She was the first of three children, growing up with her sister JudI and her brother Ken. Carol attended the Glass House at Vincentian for elementary school and Vincentian for high school, class of 1946. Carol Loved to tell stories about spending the summers of her youth at her Aunt Floss’s home in Potsdam. One of her favorite Potsdam stories was that her cousin Bill Schade, would make her go out on the roof and roll cigarettes for him. Her Aunt Floss was a librarian, and it was during those magical summers that Carol discovered her lifetime passion for reading. Carol was a Bobby Soxer during the 1940’s swooning over Frank Sinatra. After graduation from High school Carol worked at a T.B sanatorium and as a medical assistant.

In the winter of 1949 Carol decided to escape the Albany winter and spend the winter in Clearwater Florida with her then best friend Mary Parris. It was in Clearwater that Carol met her first husband, Eddie Waitkus, who is the inspiration for the movie “The Natural.” At the time, Eddie was the first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies who was in Clearwater recovering from being shot by a crazed women fan. They met on the Beach and fell deeply in love. Carol loved to recall her memories of her courtship in Clearwater, the beautiful days on the beach together and telling the story of how Eddie used to leave her a dozen roses and a bottle of wine on her doorstep each day. She also loved telling stories about Philadelphia in the 1950’s. Being treated like a celebrity, being toasted by Tony Bennett from the stage at night clubs and being comped at all the best restaurants. They were married in an elaborate ceremony at St Patrick’s in Albany ,and the entire Phillies team attended the wedding. Carol and Eddie had two children, Ronni and Ted.

Unfortunately, her marriage did not work out and Carol returned to Albany. This was the 1960’s. A time where women in the work force were an anomaly. Despite this, Carol was able to obtain a job with the Research Foundation of SUNY where she worked for over 30 years. She started as a clerk, progressing through the ranks, eventually retiring as the Employees Benefits  Manager for the entire state of New York. While working full-time, Carol attended college at night and obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Empire College, one of her proudest achievements.

Upon her return to Albany, Carol rekindled a romance with a man she had known since their days at the Glass House, John Hausen. John and Carol were married in 1968 and remained married until John’s death in 2024. They had a great life together enjoying outings on their boat to the Island at Lake George, dinners and parties at the Albany Country Club, family events and years of good times together.

In the 1970’s Carol became actively involved in criminal justice, prison reform and police brutality cases. She traveled to all the state prisons in New York teaching prisoner’s a six-step decision making and problem-solving program called “Thresholds.” She was also very politically active in Albany. She was a member of “Anchor Association” and “The Center for Law and Justice “which were active in Albany addressing the issues of Police brutality and violence at the Albany County Jail. This was her passion for years. It was not uncommon to come home and have another one of the prisoners she helped, staying at our house while she helped them get readjusted to being out of prison. Carol was also a political activist, an original feminist. She protested against the Vietnam war and participated in marches in Washington in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment for women and was an active member of the National Organization for women.

After retirement Carol and John spent their winters in Bonita Springs Florida with Carol's sister Judi, and her Husband Frank. These were some of the most enjoyable times of her life. She loved to contact everyone and invite them to visit and scheduling everyone for their stay in Florida.

As is often the case in families, there is one member who puts the family parties together, makes sure all the relatives attend and keeps the family together. Carol was this person in her family. She was, as referenced by her family members the “Cruise Director” of all family events.

Carol loved to read and always had the NY times with her when she went to Lake George. She loved sitting on an island at Lake George reading her NY Times.

She loved spending time at Lake George with John on their boat and family vacations. She loved hearing about and being a part of her grandchildren and great grandchildren's lives. They were a source of immense pleasure to her. She was a great mother, sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Sister in Law , cousin, and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. She was predeceased by her husband John Hausen ,her brother Ken Webel. and brother in law Frank Glockner.  She is survived by her son Ted Waitkus(Susan), Daughter Ronni Waitkus Barry, grandson Forrest Adams, Granddaughters Kristin Waitkus Green, (Chris), Katie Holmes(Kevin) , Justine Santangelo (Steven), Great Grandchildren Emma Holmes, Aiden Holmes, Luke Holmes, Cooper Green, Taylor Green , Chloe Green, Hunter Santangelo ,Riley Santangelo ,Sister Judi Glockner, nieces Cynthia Gardner(John),Claudia Dolphin(Peter) ,nephews Ted Glockner (Jen), Steven Webel(Courtney)and Mark Webel.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kimball Farms, especially Jenna Bertolozzi and Krysten Cobb for making her lasts days as comfortable as they did, Maggie Kirwan  and Mary Ellen Friedburg for their undying friendship and support and visits to Lenox and Albany, Rosemarie Ladley, Janet Obrien, Marta Flamenco, Teresa Mejia  for their care and love of Carol during the past year ,and a special thanks to Theresa Duncan who has supported us all this last year with love and humor. Thanks also to  Hospice of Berkshire County whose staff assured comfort and peace and love for family. Last but not least sister Judi Glockner  who lived down the hall  and helped to make Carol' s last year so comfortable and peaceful.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in Carol's name to the L.E.P unit of Kimball Farms Lenox Massachusetts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Christ the king Church, 20 Sumter Ave., Albany on Saturday, September 6,2025 with visitation at 10:00 A. M. and mass at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be in St Agnes Cemetery, Menands, with a reception to follow at the Albany Country Club.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.