Obituary of Carolyn E. de la Pena

Carolyn de la Pena died peacefully on August 26,2025 at the age of 101.  She lived a full and happy life. She was born on August 14, 1924 in Staten Island, to Carrie and Gustav Falkner. She always considered herself very lucky because she accomplished the two things she always wanted to do. Carolyn played semi-professional basketball for the Bronx Sparks. She also learned to fly single-engine planes and flew solo before she even learned how to drive. 

She loved watching all spectator sports and enjoyed many hours watching her children and grandchildren play in various sporting events. She was a season ticket holder for the Staten Island Yankees for many years.  She also loved to travel, visiting 44 of the 50 states, much of Europe, and the Caribbean.

Carolyn married Thomas de la Pena in 1948. Together, they raised four children, Thomas Jr., Donna, James, and Robert. Her family was very important to her. She had four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Carolyn graduated from Sacred Heart School and Port Richmond High School. She worked at Public Health Service/Bayley Seton Hospital for twenty years, retiring as an executive secretary to the president of the hospital. After retiring, she volunteered her time helping veterans, working at the Staten Island Botanical Gardens, and at her church, St. Paul’s/Assumption.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Donna Vroom (Ronald), her son Robert (Rita), her three grandsons, Stephen, T.J. and Christopher (Erin), granddaughter Rita, and great-granddaughter, Morgan. She is also survived by her sister, Rosemarie Mikson, and brother, Charles Falkner. Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, Carrie and Gustav, her husband, Thomas, brothers John, William (Bucky) and Nicholas Reilly, and her sons Thomas Jr. (Patricia) and James.

Friends will be received on Friday from 4pm - 8pm at Matthew Funeral Home 2508 Victory Blvd., Willowbrook SI. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday August 30th at 10 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 10 Austin place Tompkinsville SI. Interment will follow in Moravian Cemetery.