Carol Louise Zamarchi, 87, of Eliot, Maine, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026, at Durgin Pines in Kittery, Maine, following a 10-year battle with a brain tumor. Throughout her illness, Carol remained cheerful, courageous, and determined, facing each day with the strength and spirit that defined her life.

Born October 23, 1938, she was the daughter of Harold and Eva Furbish. Carol was the eighth generation of the Furbish family to call Eliot home. She graduated from Eliot High School in 1957 and married the love of her life, Elwood “Zip” Zamarchi, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 70 years.

Carol lived a life marked by kindness, service, and friendship. She gave generously of her time to her community, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Hospice, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, the Eliot Historical Society, Eliot Methodist Church, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, and the Eliot Firemen’s Auxiliary. Her commitment to helping others was recognized when she was named a Rotary Citizen of the Year.

An athlete throughout her life, Carol held a special place in her heart for basketball. She was especially proud of playing an exhibition game at Boston Garden with her Eliot High School teammates under Coach Robert Perham. Her love of the game continued throughout her life, whether she was cheering for her children or enthusiastically supporting the Boston Celtics. She also loved tennis, skiing, hiking, and cycling.

Carol and Zip shared a particular passion for the history and preservation of early cycling through their longtime involvement with The Wheelmen. Together, they completed three cycling tours in Europe, with Carol riding her beloved 1888 Elliot Hickory bicycle—a wooden bicycle with solid, non-inflatable tires. Their dedication to early cycling and its history earned them national recognition from The Wheelmen, including the organization’s highest award for exceptional contributions to the history, preservation, and study of early cycling and antique bicycles.

Travel was another great joy for Carol and Zip, and together they shared many memorable adventures. At home, Carol treasured her friendships with the River Goddesses book club, her tennis friends, and the many people she came to know through her wide range of interests and community activities.

Above all, Carol’s greatest joy was her family. She adored Zip, her beloved husband of nearly 70 years, and took immense pride and pleasure in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughters, Annette Zamarchi and her husband, Boyd Smith, and Lisa Blanchard and her partner, Michael Paradis, and her son, Michael Zamarchi. Her grandchildren were Noah Blanchard and his wife, Amanda; Laura East and her husband, Dave; Elliot Smith and his wife, Nicole; and Corinne Smith. She had 3 great-grandchildren, Wyatt Blanchard, Lewis Smith, and Callum Smith.

Carol was predeceased by her son, Brian Beckner; her parents, Harold and Eva Furbish; her siblings, Howard Furbish, Priscilla Beckner, and Harold Furbish; and her son-in-law, Tom Blanchard.

Carol leaves behind a legacy of love, service, adventure, and community. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome and valued, and her warmth, generosity, enthusiasm, and love for those around her will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The family extends special thanks to Kelly Hutchison of Beacon Hospice and to the compassionate staff at Durgin Pines for the care and kindness they provided to Carol.

In honor of Carol Zamarchi, donations may be made to the Brian Beckner Scholarship at Marshwood High School, 260 Dow Highway, South Berwick, ME 03908 (please make checks out to Marshwood HS with a memo that it’s for the Brian Beckner Scholarship) or to a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Carol’s Life will be held on Wednesday, October 7, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at The Red Barn in South Berwick, Maine.