BRUNSWICK — Virginia Mary Caruso, 67, of Brunswick, died Jan. 14 following a three-year battle with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Caruso was an adventurous, globetrotting soul. She loved hiking, camping and whitewater canoeing and rafting, and her travels brought her from the Arctic Circle to Antarctica, from the jungles of South America to Europe, Africa and many places in between.

She will be missed by many.

She spent much of her life in education. She received her bachelor’s degree in science and business education at Salem State University, her master’s degree in health and physical education at East Stroudsburg College and her doctorate in education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

She taught at several institutions, including Kennesaw State College and Ohio State University, before moving to the financial field, opening the first office of Edward Jones Investments in Maine. Caruso was a key figure in instructing and mentoring Edward Jones personnel in the region and the company recognized her several times throughout her tenure for service and leadership.

A Rotarian, Caruso believed strongly in the motto “service above self,” working widely in her community and with organizations such as the Maine State Music Theatre, the American Red Cross, PeoplesPlus, the Chocolate Church and the Pejepscot Historical Society. A devoted Catholic, she served on various ministries at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

She is survived by her brother, John Caruso, and sister-in-law Penny Caruso from Ocoee, Fla.; her nephew, John Caruso Jr., of Chicago; her niece, Christy Williams, and her three children, Ethan, Catlyn and Ronan, of East Brunswick, N.J.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Jan. 17 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick, with the Rev. Frank Murray officiating.

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