Interior designer, loyal NY Giants fan, loved fresh flowers and fine wine
Carole Friedman. (Courtesy photo)
Carol Friedman died unexpectedly Nov. 3, 2024, at the age of 72 in Harvard. She will forever be remembered for her elegance, kindness, deep love for her family and friends, and exceptional eye for design.
Born in Vermont, Carol spent much of her childhood in New Hampshire before moving to Boston in her 20s. There, Carol met and fell in love with her husband, David. The couple later settled in Harvard, where they raised their two children. Carol took great pride in being part of the Harvard community for over 40 years, cherishing the many enduring friendships she made in the area.
Carol’s career was marked by a diverse range of experiences and a commitment to building lasting connections. She managed David’s optometry practice, worked in the esthetics and dental fields, and eventually founded her West Concord-based design business, Design Resource. As an interior designer, Carol was known for her professionalism, artistry, and impeccable taste. While she appreciated the beauty of the materials she used to create stunning, sophisticated spaces, it was the collaborative nature of the design process that she valued most. Among her proudest professional achievements were the relationships she built with clients and colleagues, many of which blossomed into lasting friendships.
Carol’s love for her immediate family was immeasurable. Known affectionately as “Gaga” by her granddaughters, Carol adored celebrating milestones, birthdays, and holidays with her family. She was particularly fond of treating them to meals, whether at one of her favorite restaurants or with her homemade macaroni and cheese. Carol shared a particularly close connection with her granddaughters; she was a regular on the sidelines of their sporting events, and they spent time together shopping, baking, and bonding over their shared love of art, music, pop culture, and fashion.
Carol’s interests extended beyond those she shared with her family. She had a love for fresh flowers, fun shoes, smart attire, and fine wine. A loyal supporter of the New York Giants, she took pride in her family’s involvement with the Giants organization through her family member Benny Friedman. Whether for work or pleasure, Carol loved to travel. She found inspiration during work trips to Nantucket and Florida, and treasured memories made with family and friends in her favorite places, including Ogunquit, Santa Barbara, Martha’s Vineyard, Vermont, Colorado, Paris, and Provence. Carol loved nature and was often moved by the beauty of a sunset, a beach walk, or a perfect summer evening.
Generosity and selflessness were at the heart of Carol’s character. She was a compassionate listener, a trusted source of counsel, and, to many, a mother figure. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Zachary, his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughters, Isla and Clara of Westwood; and her son, Andrew, of Ayer. Carol was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, David.
Family and friends gathered to honor and remember Carol at visiting hours on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Badger Funeral Home in Littleton, followed by a memorial service. Burial was private.