Carol Ann Witte

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our vivacious, loving, one-of-a-kind mom, granny, and friend, Carol Ann (Lamp) Witte, on October 20, 2021 due to complications of COVID-19.

She was born on June 20, 1950, to Betty and Irving Lamp and grew up in Yale Heights in West Baltimore. After graduating Western High School in 1968, Carol went on to get her Associate's Degree from Essex Community College. Later, she found her calling in the medical field, as a surgical coordinator for spine surgeon Dr. McAfee at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Towson Orthopedic Associates.

Her name means, "joyful song," and in life, Carol brought joy to everyone she encountered and had a passion for seeing live bands and going to concerts. Some of her favorites were the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Journey, the Beach Boys, and Queen. She loved animals, especially cats – her handsome Buffy, her dear Puddytat, her beloved Rusty, her cherished Blaze, and the dozens of feral cats she took care of in the last two decades.

She adored being a mom to her three children, Matthew, Stefanie, and Andrew. She was a constant presence at sporting events, school plays, band concerts, and academic celebrations. Friends of Carol's kids were always welcomed at the family home, with food, friendship, and good times. When her kids were grown, Carol remarried, came into her own, and never looked back.

In the last 20 years, Carol experienced more than most of us will throughout our entire lives. At age 63, she witnessed the Ravens take victory at Super Bowl 47 in New Orleans. Later, she conquered a level three rapids course while white water rafting, and she held sloths in Costa Rica. She finally got to visit her dream destination, London, England, in 2012 and had a proper British tea. Carol and her husband Bill were regulars on the Baltimore based cruise ship, the Pride, and cruised to more than 20 Caribbean islands, the Panama Canal, Mexico, Central America, Bermuda, and Canada.

Carol was also an avid amateur genealogist. She enjoyed researching her family roots that went back to medieval England and connecting with cousins and other distant relatives. She was a member in the Daughters of the American Revolution group. When it came to baby showers, wedding showers, anniversary parties, and birthday celebrations, Carol was a pro at planning, decorating, and feeding guests for all types of festivities.

Carol's greatest joy in the final 10 years of her life was being a devoted grandmother to Lexi Loo, Austin, Riley Roo Roo, her kumquats Grace and Elliott, Hank Sherlock Holmes, and Harpiter. Granny was always there to cheer for her grandkids at sports, watch their performances, take them to doctor's visits, make their birthday celebrations special, kiss their boo-boos, cheer them up when they were sad, and soothe them when they felt sick.

She leaves behind her husband, Bill Witte, her three children – Matthew Riley, Stefanie Jett, and Andrew Riley, her stepdaughter, Wendy Witte, her daughter-in-law, Jamie Riley, her sister, Peggy Chester, her brother, Steve Lamp, her brother-in-law, George Chester, and seven beloved grandchildren – Alexis Riley, Riley Jett, Austin McGinty, Grace Riley, Elliott Riley, and twins Harper and Henry Jett. She also leaves behind countless family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers and more—who were all better for knowing her.

Due to the circumstances of her death from COVID-19, there will be no traditional viewing or visitation. Per the family's wishes, interment will be a private graveside service and she will be laid to rest at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Baltimore, MD. Donations in Carol's name may be made to BARCS, Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter.

In lieu of a conventional funeral, we will be remembering our beloved Mom, Granny, and "Curl" in the only way that fits her style and her personality: a huge party with all of her friends and family, honoring her light and her legacy, a Celebration of Life, this June, the date TBA.