Obituary of Lillian N Carlson

Lillian N. Carlson died in Capitola on June 17, 2015, at age 88 after a long illness. Born and raised in Lawrence, Mass., she enjoyed a happy childhood surrounded by a large community of friends and family. Lillian graduated from Tufts University with a degree in biology. While renting a room in a house in Belmont, Mass., she met the love of her life, Clair Carlson, a student at Harvard Law School. The young married couple moved to California in 1951. Soon Lillian was raising three sons while Clair served as deputy city attorney in Los Angeles. In 1958, they moved to Ventura for Clair's new position as city attorney. She enjoyed Ventura and eventually returned to college, obtained her teaching credential, and studied Spanish. She also was a member of the Assistance League and the American Association of University Women. Lillian's fourth son was born in 1968. Two years later, the family moved to Santa Cruz, where Clair served as deputy county counsel from 1970 to 1975 and as county counsel from 1975 to 1984. The climate in Santa Cruz perfectly suited Lillian's gardening pastime. Lillian also enjoyed cooking, knitting, sewing, and visiting with her many friends and neighbors. After raising her four children, Lillian generously volunteered her time in the Santa Cruz community. She was a fixture at American Red Cross blood drives, staffing the canteen to nourish generous — and sometimes nervous — donors, many of whom were giving blood for the first time. Over nearly 30 years of service, the Red Cross honored Lillian with numerous awards and recognitions, culminating in Lifetime Achievement Honoree for contributing 4,000 or more hours over a lifetime. Lillian also was a familiar volunteer at the Grey Bears thrift store. Lillian tirelessly continued her weekly volunteer activities until 2010, when her health challenges overcame her lifelong desire to help others. Her sons and family supported her from near and afar as she increasingly relied on them to return the love and generosity that she taught them to give. She lived at Pacific Coast Manor for her final two years. She felt the love and care of the staff and other residents at her new home and from caregivers Georgette Neal and Diane Robertson, who enriched Lillian's life. Lillian now joins Clair, who died in 1995. Lillian is survived by her sons, Clair Jr. and wife Pamela of Canton, Mass., Ron and wife Kareen of Ventura, Ken of Santa Cruz, and Douglas and wife Maya of San Francisco, and by her three grandchildren, Kristin of Tahoe City, Lindsay and husband Andrea of Somerville, Mass., and Peter of Ventura, all of whom will always treasure their loving memories of her and the fun times they spent together. Also surviving Lillian are her sister and three brothers and her many nieces and nephews. Contributions may be sent in her honor to American Red Cross, 2960 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95062. Inurnment will be at Oakwood Memorial Park next to Clair.