Carol Marie Bresnahan

She was famous for her salt-encrusted filet mignon, chocolate lava cake, crème brûlée, and bananas foster that once singed an eyebrow. Cooking was a science experiment, and her wife, Michelle, enjoyed procuring the ingredients, watching the process, and eating the mistakes until the recipe was perfected. Carol was known for informative and fun wine tastings at home, on board sailing vessels, and on Smithsonian tours. When asked what her favorite wine was, Carol would invariably say “the one I am drinking right now.”

Her friends and family will remember her incredible intellect, accomplished culinary skills, love of cats, talent for languages, humility, kind spirit, and courage to stand up for what is right. She was a prodigious mentor of college students and faculty. Carol was proud of her awards for shared governance and relished serving as the first woman tenured faculty member in History, chair of the History department, and awardee of the Outstanding Research Award at the University of Toledo.

She earned her B.A. in History from Smith College in 1977, a.k.a. “the last competent class,” and her M.A. and Ph.D. in History from Brown University. An expert in Italian Renaissance History, she served as a well-loved professor at the University of Toledo, The College of New Jersey, and Rollins College, and as provost and executive vice president at TCNJ and Rollins. Carol loved completing research in the archives in Florence and writing and publishing her many academic articles, book reviews, and Charity and State in Late Renaissance Italy: The Monte di Pietà of Florence. Carol’s favorite class to teach was an upper-division course titled “Magic and Witchcraft in 16th Century Europe.” Students walked in the door thinking it would be a breeze, but they quickly discovered it was a very demanding course.

Carol led a full and interesting life, surrounded by friends and family every step of her journey. Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Charley and Pat Bresnahan. She leaves behind her many friends; her spouse of 26 years, Dr. Michelle Stecker; her sister Susan Ekman and husband Anders; her brother Scott Bresnahan and wife Kate; sister-in law Dr. Cindy Rasch and husband Michael; five beloved nieces and nephews; and her cats Max and Tiger. She is now in heaven at peace enjoying her many cats and reading a large stack of New Yorkers. Good night, sweet prince.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a non-profit organization that assisted Carol during her illness – Easter Seals Florida Day Break program at https://tinyurl.com/InMemoryofCarol or the North Orlando Bridge Center https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=K2U3234FKVSSW

The North Orlando Bridge Center located at 350 Anchor Road, Casselberry, FL, Suite 1040, will host a meal (11:30 a.m.) and duplicate bridge game (noon) in Carol’s honor on Friday, May 29.