Carolyn Lee

Carolyn Mason Lee obituary

Seaside

March 3, 1936 — Dec. 9, 2014

Carolyn was born in Imperial, Neb., to Hazel Belle Young and Joseph Earleywine and raised in Indianola, Neb., and briefly in California, graduating from Inglewood High School.

Her home was always in Nebraska, and with her mom and her siblings in the loving blended Appleyard and Earleywine families. Her love for the five brothers and two sisters filled her heart, their times together bringing great joy and laughter.

Carolyn’s life was caring for others, sharing her welcoming smile, twinkling eyes, sharp wit, great sense of humor and love wherever she went. Loving to travel to see family and friends, she drove hundreds of thousands of miles over the years. She was proud to be from the heartland and loved America. She was a dedicated employee throughout her life, beginning at the age of 13, when she became a telephone operator.

Marrying Larry Ready in Great Falls, Mont., they had their daughter Mitzi. Carolyn was active in raising her daughter, working for Greely Elevator Company as administrative secretary, teaching Sunday school, volunteering to help the elderly and in her church.

Carolyn moved with her daughter in the late 1960s to the Gig Harbor, Wash., area. As administrative assistant for Harrison Memorial Hospital, she formed a special bond with her boss, family and coworkers.

In 1970, Mama visited Seaside, saw the ocean and area and said she would never leave. Soon after her move here she became activities director at Seaside Care Center, sharing her love and ever-present smile with the residents. She arranged for Lawrence Welk star Myron Floren to visit and entertain the elderly with his accordion.

Later Carolyn was led to her new family of coworkers in the Seaside General Hospital Home Health Department, where she was administrative secretary for almost 20 years. Staff called her “General Lee,” as she kept them on track. A coworker commented, “Can’t tell you what she meant to and did for all of us. Her joyfully fun ways cheered us all and kept us on task and contributed to our great department. Such a lady and lovely friend.” These family members remain very close, providing Mama with great love, support and comfort. Their bond of love with the love of God is rare in the workplace; she was honored to be part of this experience.

Carolyn’s true joy in life arrived when her grandson Jacob was born. “Grammy” has always been a loving, consistent force in his life with her unconditional love and ever-present support. They cherished time spent together. Over the past months Jake drove down to be at Grammy’s side most every weekend, spending quality days exploring the beauty of the North Coast area. Special moments were enjoyed at the Cove and watching the river traffic from the Columbia River Beach at Fort Stevens. Grammy enjoyed long, lively conversations with Jake.

Carolyn has been a strong advocate for Seaside, volunteering to help many groups and residents over the years. She answered the phone “Sunny in Seaside” regardless of the weather. Groups she was more recently involved with include the SMART reading program, English as a Second Language as a tutor, the STARS ham radio club earning her “general” license, Emergency Preparedness Association, Tsunami Awareness group, Christian arid spiritual associations, and she was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. Mama felt honored to be a member of the Seaside delegation traveling to Kansas City to compete in the “All American City” competition.

Carolyn married Ron Mason on June 3, 2000. They enjoyed traveling to New Mexico and Yosemite following her retirement. She was his “dear, dear.” Carolyn was grateful for the dear friends she came to know after their marriage from the church family in Gig Harbor and Seaside.

Carolyn retired from Providence Home Health Department in 2002. Her days were busy volunteering, always helping others, and visiting with friends at Bagels by the Sea, her home away from home, where the staff were extended family.

The Cove became her place of joy, comfort and rejuvenation. Mama enjoyed being there for hours absorbing the sights, sounds and ever-changing natural beauty, all of which touched her soul. It was her heaven on earth.

Enjoying every experience on her life’s journey, from spending time with loved ones, traveling, seeing new places, the thrill of being at a Mariners game live, watching every hit and remembering she was called Casey in her school years because she was so good at bat. She always noticed the world around her and recognized the beauty of God’s creations.

Very recently Mama and I returned from her dream journey riding on Amtrak from Kelso, Wash., to Hastings, Neb., to spend time with family on the farm near Campbell and seeing other family nearby. Visiting with them was priceless to her, knowing it would be her last journey home. Every moment there filled her heart with joy, and the train trip made Mama “feel like a child again.”

Like every trial faced, Carolyn’s recent illness was handled with grace, dignity and courage with the help of God. We are joyful for her to be free, knowing she will be with us forever. Yet words cannot express the loss we feel.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Floyd, Leonard, Roger and Elton Appleyard, Erma Appleyard Needham, and Lou and Darlene Earleywine Schelling, dearest friend Carol Smith, cousins, and extended family members.

She is survived by her husband, Rollin, her only child Mitzi Loukkula, grandson Jake Loukkula of Bothell, Wash., nieces and nephews and their families, numerous beloved friends, and stepchildren Tor and Leah.

An informal gathering was held at the Cove in Seaside today at 11 a.m., when Carolyn was escorted on surf boards to the end of Tillamook Head, where her ashes were released to float on the waves into her beloved Cove. Following at noon will be a gathering at Bagels by the Sea for sharing of laughter, love and memories.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SMART reading program in care of Seaside Heights Elementary School, 2000 Spruce Drive, Seaside, OR 97138.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com