CAROL BELL
My mom, Carol, grew up on Ravenna Avenue. She used to tell me that when she was in high school she was "shy." When she left this planet, however, she was anything but shy! She was hilarous, smart, educated, and modest. So I break with my mom, and brag about her many talents:
As a loyal Teddie and Husky, she could sing, "We are the Teddies," and "Bow Down to Washington." As a camp counselor at Camp Sealth, she could heal the homesick, and build an brilliant fire, using the Teepee method.
In 1962, she obtained a BA in History. She loved her time at the University of Washington. In the 60's, she also married and had 3 children. She was a playful, devoted, and loving mother.
After raising her children, Carol earned a Master's degree and had a full career teaching at Decatur High School. She had an excellent rapport with the teens and the staff. Her favorite area of instruction was the Civil Rights Movement. Her time teaching social studies launched her into world travel with many trips to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
She also enjoyed hiking, skiing, reading, indigenous art, volunteering on the board of the Mujeres de Maiz Opportunity Foundation, and the Mariners. Carol also volunteered for Al-Anon, AA, and Tacoma's Grand Cinema.
Throughout her final years, Carol maintained an amazing sense of humour. She was a loving and caring daughter, sister, mother, grandmother of 6 and friend to many. She is dearly missed.
Julie Gold
Carol and I went from Kindergarten through college at the University of Washington and stayed close to each other through her diagnosis of ALS. Even though she had difficulty speaking later, she sent me an e-mail saying she wanted to edit the book I was writing. That was the loving person I have known since grade school and though my life and I miss talking with her every week. She was my best friend, colleague, and some times my family, Love you still. Miss you. Wish you were still here. I thank her children who gave me a collage of her last 6 months
tribute by Marcia Miller-WilliamsCarol was deeply devoted to her family and to teaching. Carol became a high school history teacher, a field she loved and in which she excelled. She had three children and lived to enjoy six grandchildren. She was also dedicated to international development. For example, she worked to provide solar cell lights for indigenous women in Chiapas so that they could work in the evening and improve the economic status of their families. Carol loved to travel, and I am so glad she lived to explore many lands and historical places. Carol was a dear and loyal friend. I enjoyed greatly catching up with her at our 50th RHS reunion. Distance, due to living on different coasts, separated us physically but not in our hearts. In March 2010, Carol was diagnosed with ALS, and thereafter she became increasingly limited in speech and mobility - but not in mind or spirit. She moved from Federal Way to Anacortes to be close to her daughter Julie who was devoted to supporting her Mom during her last months. I send my deepest sympathy to Carol's family. I miss Carol and her kind spirit. I was honored to know her.
tribute by Emily Vargas-Barón