Carol A. Stent, a beloved figure known for her vibrant spirit and unwavering devotion to family, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 22, 2025, at her home in Overton, Nevada. She was surrounded by her cherished husband, David Y. Nakahara, at the time of her passing.
Born on July 14, 1939, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Carol was the daughter of John and Jenny (Slajinsky) Prespolis. She graduated in the Class of 1957 from Saint Mary’s of the Annunciation (SMA), where she formed lasting friendships with classmates and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who played a significant role in her education. As the eldest of seven siblings, Carol often embraced her leadership role among her three brothers and three sisters.
In pursuit of adventure, Carol and four of her classmates relocated to San Francisco, California, where they embarked on various career paths and found lifelong partners. There, her striking beauty and zest for life caught the attention of Raymond Michael Stent, a medical intern from England, during his residency at Los Angeles County U.S.C. Hospital. They married at the picturesque Wayfarers Chapel, but their union ended in divorce in the 1980s.
Carol later found love with David Nakahara, an esteemed attorney practicing law in Torrance, California. The couple wed in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 20, 1989, and moved to Las Vegas in 1998, where they shared their lives with a total of seventeen pets they lovingly referred to as their “fur babies.”
Throughout her life, Carol displayed a passionate love for all creatures, great and small. She dedicated herself to caring for David’s aged parents during their final years, providing invaluable support and counsel while managing her own recovery from a stroke that left her partially paralyzed. Her resilience shone brightly as she faced challenges with grace and humor.
Carol’s legacy is one of warmth and compassion. She enriched the lives of those around her with her wit and pure love. She is survived by her husband, David, and her sisters, Paula Couture of Dracut, Massachusetts, and Naples, Florida; Janet Buchino of Randolph, Massachusetts, and Naples, Florida; and Helen Botehlo of Conway, South Carolina.
As friends and family reflect on her life, they remember Carol Stent as a remarkable individual whose devotion to others and zest for life will leave an indelible mark on all who knew her. The family expresses gratitude for the love and support received during this time, echoing her belief that life is to be cherished and celebrated.
Soli Deo Gloria — only to God the glory.
