Maria Elena Carter, 68, passed away on Jan. 5, 2011, in the intensive care unit at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Bellingham from complications of a weakened immune system and a severe reaction to pancreatitis.

Maria was born in Upper Darby township of Pennsylvania on June 1, 1942, the daughter of Elizabeth and Stephen Kitsko.

She was raised in Philadelphia. She later lived in Las Vegas where she studied cosmetology. She worked as a beautician/manicurist at Caesar’s Palace and later retired. In the last 12 years, she settled with her partner William Ferringo in Coupeville.

Maria loved assembling and furnishing doll houses and she was talented in building miniature creations for them. She was a kind, loving and spiritual person who cherished animals and all living creatures. Having survived a lengthy battle with cancer, she still possessed a wonderful sense of humor and the warmest of smiles for all those she met.

She is survived by her partner, William Ferringo; an aunt, Mary McAll; her sister Phyllis Cifone; nieces Maria Cifone and Phyllis King; nephews Michael and Steven Cifone; and all of their children.

A viewing and Rosary Service was held Jan. 12 at Burley Funeral Chapel, 30 SE Ely St., in Oak Harbor.