Carol F. Toland

FITCHBURG - Carole Toland, 84, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026.

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Carole was the daughter of the late Frank and Anne (Bonanno) Brooks. Carole was a pioneering woman whose strength, compassion and powerful kindness touched countless lives. She attended a Catholic High School in Boston and built a life defined by hard work, courage, and service to others.

Throughout her career, Carole worked for Automatic Radio and later owned and operated Carole’s Cleaning Services. She also served as a devoted companion to the elderly, offering them friendship, comfort, and dignity. With her soft soul and heart of gold, she had a remarkable ability to make people feel cared for and less alone.

Carole was a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, and for women affected by domestic violence. She stood up for people who needed a voice and offered strength to those facing difficult circumstances. Her advocacy reflected who she was at her core: brave, compassionate, and unwilling to turn away from someone in need.

To her family, Carole was the rock that held everyone together. She was an amazing mother who loved her children deeply and pushed them to excel and become the best versions of themselves. Her care extended far beyond her immediate family, and she became a mother figure to many who found guidance, safety, and unconditional love in her presence.

Carole especially loved Christmas and the warmth, togetherness, and joy it brought. Her family will remember the traditions she created, the love she shared, and the way she made the season special.

Carole’s legacy lives on in her children, her family, the people she supported, and the many lives she changed through her kindness. She will be remembered as a pioneer, an advocate, a protector, and a deeply loving woman. Her strength made others stronger, her compassion brought comfort, and her love made everyone around her feel like family.

In addition to her parents, and husband Adolfo Martin Da Silva, Carole was predeceased by her daughter Deborah Ann Toland, and just recently by her sister Francis Brooks-Hartley. Francis and Carole were two years apart. Just two weeks before both Francis and Carole fell ill, they both spoke on the phone together. The two of them had agreed to pass into the next life together, and just two days after Francis passed, Carole passed too.

Carole is survived by her children; Anthony P. Toland-Da Silva, John Toland Jr. and Richard W. Toland. She is also survived by her two brothers, James and Al Brooks. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and of course her beloved dog Elvis.

Carole’s family has a special appreciation for those who were around her during her final days including; Tina Gallant-Albert, Matthew Spence, Sarah Wheeler-Gagne, Leslie Acevedo-Bennet, Adrianna Pinero-Sparks, best friend Yvonne Silva, Mary Piquette-Walsh, Mary Belle-McFadden and her family, Katherine Pagnini, John O’Connor, Heather Giguere, Donna Wyman-Boivin and her husband Mike, Nancy Boiven, Patrick and Tom Beaudry, Denise Mergrain-Alessandrini, Vicki Manchester, Jessica Carillo, Shannon Sontag-Sylvia, and June and Steve Alan and their family.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral service on Monday, August 3rd at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main Street in Leominster.