Carol DeFino-Greco Service Information

Carol Ann DeFino Greco, born in Philadelphia on January 21, 1942, lost her battle with pulmonary fibrosis surrounded by her family on April  6, 2023.

Carol was born to Michael and Frances DeFino and was raised in Northeast Philadelphia with her dear sister, Linda.

In grade school Carol’s teacher pulled Frances aside and suggested that Carol get involved in acting.  After much consideration, Carol began her journey into the Arts. Frances started both Carol and Linda with singing and dancing lessons. While in high school Carol was Northeast Philadelphia’s Storybook Princess. As the Storybook Princess, she visited various grade schools (in character) and read books to the students. She was also featured on channel 6’s “The Children’s Hour”. After high school she attended Temple University and received certifications from the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts.  

Carol met Anthony, who was serving in the army, at a dance at Fort Dix.  She was smitten by his dreamy looks and quiet demeanor. She married Anthony on May 18, 1963. Carol and Anthony raised two lovely daughters, Linda and Gina.   Her daughters were and will always be the loves of her life.

Frances, believing wholeheartedly in her daughters’ desire to pursue the Arts, urged them to create DeFino Sisters School of Dance and Dramatics. It started in the basement of Carol’s home on Stanwood Street in 1964. Many former students still remember fondly the little van that would come pick them up if they needed a ride to class. When Carol started having children she took a back seat at the studio, but this gave her the opportunity to pursue a new path.

She began working in high school theater in 1973 as the assistant director and choreographer at Archbishop Ryan (1973-1982). She then became the drama director at Father Judge (1982-2008), and the director/theater arts teacher at Nazareth Academy (1981-2021). While at these schools she made a lasting impact on the community and thousands of teens. She gave kids both the courage and guidance to pursue their characters on stage and build up their character in real life.  With a meticulous eye and a flair for aesthetics, she created some of the most professional high school theater Northeast Philly has ever seen.  

If Carol wasn’t busy enough with her directing, she was also a devoted homemaker. Carol would often have your favorite dish prepared or she would lament that she had nothing in and then would whip up a gourmet meal in a matter of minutes. Her eggplant parmigiana was the most anticipated dish of every holiday. One of her favorite things in life was spending time at the shore in Brigantine and Wildwood Crest with her extended family. She loved savoring a good cup of morning coffee at the kitchen table waiting for others to wake up so she could hold court. After breakfast, she would get that look in her eye and her family knew she was headed “off the island” which meant she was off to the stores nearby and that she would come home with bags of food and clothes in the trunk.

In her later years, Carol’s disease progressed to a point that it severely limited her ability to “zip around”. However, she marveled at FaceTime and loved that she could see everyone’s face when they called, especially her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She enjoyed watching her daily religious programs and cherished the prayer to St, Michael, Hail Holy Queen, and the rosary on which she would use each bead to pray for one person at a time. 

Carol’s guiding light on this earth was always her loving family, who were with her until the very end. Her family’s togetherness brought the utmost joy to her. She loved to give a word of advice (or five) to her loved ones.  Carol not only inspired her family’s passions and love for the Arts but she inspired their deep love for each other. A true leader and matriarch- she will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Carol is survived by her husband Anthony Greco, her daughters Linda (John) and Gina (Michael), her grandchildren Natalie (Nicholas), Jack (Brittnee), Frances, Andrew, Gianna, and Anna, and her great-grandchildren Nicholas, Benjamin, Kinsley, and Charles.  

Relatives and friends are invited to call Saturday, April 15^th from 9:30 to 11am at St. Albert the Great Church, 212 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006.  Her Funeral Mass will follow at 11am.  Interment will take place at St. John Neumann Cemetery in Chalfont.

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