Carole Chiras

MILLBURY - Carole Ann (Amour) Chiras, retired Millbury principal and forever a teacher, passed away peacefully at her home in Millbury on July 12, 2022, after an extended period of declining health. Carole, known for her smile and cheerfulness, could put anyone at ease and make them feel valued. This, combined with boundless creativity and a giving heart, fueled the soul of an elementary school teacher.

Carole is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, John (Jack) W. Chiras, and her loving children, John A. Chiras and his son Jake and her daughter Stefanie Chiras and her daughter Annabella. Carole also leaves her sisters, Joy (Amour) Safdieh and Anne (Amour) Baskowski, her brothers, Thomas Amour and Robert Amour, and her aunt Loretta (St. Amour) Raymond. She was predeceased by her parents Alfred J. Amour and his wife Stephanie (Koziol), her brother Alfred F. Amour, and her grandparents, who were very influential in her life, Frederick V. St. Amour and Albina (Caplette).

One of Carole’s most beloved roles was being memere to her grandchildren, Jake and Annabella. She had countless pleasant hours in the company of her own memere, Albina, and learned valuable life lessons. When her “mem” passed away, Carole took her ever-present black purse to the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre in Quebec, Canada, the home of “Good St. Anne.” Placing the purse on the front pew, she inherited the title of “memere” for her own family. She was a wonderful “mem.”

Carole was a 1960 graduate of Grafton Memorial High School where she was a cheerleader. She then earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964 and a Masters Degree in 1981 from Worcester State College. It was there that she met her husband and lifelong friend, Jack. Her teaching career began at the Center School in Millbury and extended over 40 years. Through the years she was a classroom, Title I, and gifted and talented teacher, serving at Providence Street School, Shaw Middle School and at Elmwood Street School where she retired as principal in 2003 and an interior courtyard garden is named in her honor. Her duties as principal had her in dunk tanks, kissing cows, using a shower as an office and dressing up as Mother Goose on Halloween, all to create special childhood memories for the children of Millbury.

In her long career in education, Carole was beloved by students, parents and teachers. She was honored as the Millbury Teacher of the Year in 1982, was greeted at the White House by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 as a Take Pride in America Finalist, and that same year was Blackstone Educator of the year. She was a member of the National Education Association, Massachusetts Teacher Association, Millbury Teachers Association and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Despite all the awards, her greatest joy was being greeted by former students and parents, eager to share great successes and adventures in the years following graduation from the Millbury Public Schools.

Carole was a proud member of the Millbury community and a lifetime member of the Millbury Historical Society. She loved leading tours of the town’s noteworthy sites and sharing her vast knowledge of the town’s rich history. She was a board member of the Millbury Bicentennial Committee and served as the History Chairman.

Carole did everything with passion and enthusiasm. She held lifelong loves for wild birds and flowers, singing at a player piano, and riding in convertibles. She was also an intrepid traveler, meeting interesting people everywhere she went.  She and Jack traveled to all 50 states and set foot on four continents. Her favorite destinations included New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Key West, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Cartagena, London, Paris, Versailles, Normandy, Rome, Pisa, Pompeii, Santorini, Athens, Egypt, Tanzania, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Budapest, the Danube Valley, the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine California and, in particular, Niagara Falls, where she and Jack spent their honeymoon. Together, Carole and Jack saw pyramids, castles, cathedrals, rode camels, and even won $25 at Monte Carlo. When they stayed home in Massachusetts, Carole and Jack spent many enjoyable hours searching out treasures at flea markets in Grafton, Hubbardston, Hollis and Londonderry, New Hampshire.

Carole’s passion for life, learning and for those around her leaves all those she touched grateful to have known her.

Friends and family are invited to Mulhane Funeral home, 45 N. Main St., Millbury, MA on Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to gather together, remember and celebrate Carole.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation to the Millbury Historical Society (https://www.millburyhistory.org/) to perpetuate Carole’s love of Millbury, teaching and community.