CAROLE ANNE GITTMAN
NOVEMBER, 1942 T0 MAY 23, 2024
Family and friends are sad to share the passing of their beloved Carole Anne Gittman, also known by many as Teddi, on May 23, 2024, at the Wilmington VA Medical Center. Carole Anne was born November 1942, to her parents, Thelma and Cole Gittman, in Wilmington, Delaware. She graduated from West York High School in York, Pennsylvania with, of all things, the course work for Home Economics.
She joined the U. S. Army Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1961, when she was nicknamed Teddi. She honorably served for 20 years, one month, and 21 days and was very precise about her length of service. Her tour of duty took her to many countries, including Vietnam, Okinawa, Germany, and South Korea. Stateside, she was assigned to posts at Fort Devens, Massachusetts; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Belvoir; and Fort Myer, Virginia, where she roamed the halls of the Pentagon. The words “Done that, been there, and damn proud of it” sums up the pride she felt for the U. S. Army and her country.
Off duty, Carole/Teddi was an incredibly talented fast-pitch softball pitcher who struck out many batters with her fierce fastball. She received many accolades for her pitching skills, including being named the Women’s Interservice Recreational League’s Most Valuable Player.
After retiring from the U. S. Army, Carole/Teddi graduated from Park College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. After briefly using her Criminal Justice degree as a Baltimore Probation Officer, she just had to get back to doing something for the Army, finding a lot of satisfaction working at 1st Recruiting Brigade Fort Meade, Maryland, and retiring from civil service after 20-plus years.
Teddi was especially proud of her service in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 and enjoyed the lifelong battle buddy friends she made there. She was missed at this year’s bi-annual reunion conference of the Vietnam Women Veterans, an organization of military women who served in Vietnam in non-nurse jobs. The meeting room echoed with “Where’s Teddi?”
Carole/Teddi’s greatest joys were her family and friends. She spent time with them, playing cards, dice, and board games and occasionally sharing a beer or two with those lucky enough to be in her company. She was selfless, generous, and had a heart of gold.
Carole was preceded in death by her parents, Cole and Thelma (Adams) Gittman, stepfather Arthur Cassedy, brothers Cole Jr. (Sonny) and Elwood (Maureen), and sister Roberta (Bill) Smethurst. She leaves behind her sister, Betty (Richard) Roy, and many beloved nephews and nieces. She is also survived by longtime friend Floss (Sam) Hickman and by special friends Pat (Berthie) Hulme, Kitty (Lori) Bowden, Linda Vick, and fellow Vietnam Veteran Maryna (aka Marty) Misiewicz. And special to Teddi’s heart were Mike and Marcy Misiewicz and her “grandkids” Merrick, Macy, Mallory, and Maddox. Carole’s and Teddi’s last message to us …
“Meet you at the flagpole.”
A celebration of life will be held on May 30, 2024, at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware. The visitation begins at 10am, followed by a funeral service at 11 am. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon from 12:30-3:30 at the Atterbury VFW Post 3420, 649 Churchmans Road, Newark, Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vietnam Women Veterans, Inc. by check at 10185 Mammoth Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70814 or online to the Women in Military Service for America Foundation, Inc., at www.womensmemorial.org.
