Carolyn Louise McAuley

Date of Birth: 03/30/1943 Place of Birth: El Segundo, CA

Date of Death: 11/05/21 Place of Death: Mount Vernon, WA

Carolyn was born and grew up in El Segundo with her mother, father, and older sister Miriam. She graduated from El Segundo High School in 1961.  She married her first husband Gordon and they had her first daughter, Leslie. With her second husband Troy she had her youngest daughter, Lisa.

For many years she enjoyed bowling and participated in several bowling leagues traveling the country becoming a National Bowling Champion at one point. Carolyn loved to travel.  From camping as a young family with kids across the country, to traveling the world with her sister, Miriam. She loved cruises and going to Mexico to soak up the sun and if last year would have allowed a coveted trip to Europe with her daughters had been planned. She also loved to crochet and would make sure the newest members of the family had a special blanket made especially for them by her. For many years and after retirement she spent a great deal of time working on the family genealogy through Ancestry.com.  She tracked the family through centuries of connections and loved telling the family stories about their lineage.

She spent her early work years in various jobs but the work she took the most pride in was working for Rockwell International on the Space Shuttles during her 20+ years including the Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. She fabricated the insulated blankets that protected the space shuttle from the extreme temperature encountered during spaceflight.

After retirement Carolyn volunteered her time with the Missouri State Ombudsman's Office advocating for patients' rights for seniors living in long-term facilities. She took great pride in being able to make sure they were being taken care of appropriately.

She eventually moved to Tehachapi, California to spend time with her eldest daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, volunteering her time at St. Vincent de Paul thrift store, playing bunco and making dear friends.  In her final move, she came to Little Mountain Estates, here in Mount Vernon, Washington to be with her youngest daughter and family.  She enjoyed making new friends and being part of a truly caring community of people.  She loved playing Mexican Train and other games with her cherished friends . She loved gardening and canning her tomatoes and jams. She was extremely grateful for all the love, support, and care from those friends during her last couple of years.

She had a wicked sense of humor and truly enjoyed life. She will be missed by many.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Henry Wark, and her sister Miriam Grier. She was truly the Matriarch of those she leaves behind:

Her daughter Lisa (husband Rod), daughter Leslie (husband Rogers). Her grandchildren, Rachel (husband Chris), Daniel (wife Elena), Keegan (wife Jessica), Carly (husband Matt), Kasey, and Kyle.  She is also survived by great-grandchildren Taylor, Ainsley, Marquis, Kameron, Tavin, Dennis, Josif, Alex, Sailas, June, Ellie, Landon, and Avery and five great-great-grandchildren. She also leave behinds her constant companion and beloved pet "Blondie".