PAULINE CARLSON
May 4, 1923 – Oct. 14, 2009
Pauline Dolores Popplewell Carlson, daughter of Pauline and Alfred Popplewell, peacefully passed away on Oct. 14, 2009.
She was predeceased by her husband Elliot and sister Virginia.
Dolores was born on May 4, 1923 in Sacramento, Calif. or, as one newspaper of that fortuitous day says, the 7th of May.
Her parents moved to Ketchikan, Alaska when Dolores was an infant; and by the time she was 2 years old, had moved their family to Mount Vernon, Wash. It was there that her sister Virginia was born. Shortly thereafter, mother and daughters lived with their adopted grandparents, Swan and Hulda Felt. Eventually, they moved to Hoogdal, Wash., where Dolores graduated from Sedro Woolley High School in 1940.
In 1941 she moved to Seattle where she met her future husband Elliot Carlson. He finally got a yes to his proposal in 1942.
Dolores always said that all she ever wanted was to have four children and become a teacher. Her dreams came true. She and Elliot raised four children, three sons; Lawrence, Richard, and Dennis; and one daughter, Pauline Marie.
Eventually, Dolores returned to school to complete an associate degree for teaching in 1976. She taught preschool through junior college throughout her lifetime. In early 1977, she became a dyslexia specialist who created the first class for adult dyslexics at Yakima Valley College; teaching there until she and Elliot moved back to Seattle.
Elliot was a “beach boss” in Nushigak and Egegik for over 30 years during the fishing seasons. Dolores was offered a fishing permit and added Elliot for obvious reasons. Their sons, Larry and Dennis, did their fishing on the permit as well; and in late 1977, she quit her teaching position and went to Alaska with Elliot. She changed careers to become a seasonal laundry lady, storekeeper, cook, and baker at the fish camp in Egegik, Alaska for over 12 years.
During this time they settled down on Camano Island in 1984; into the same house they had lived in 1947. Back on Camano Island, Dolores became a caterer and very active member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She cooked and produced fundraising events there as well as catering many local functions. She also served on the Board of the Camano Island Senior Center as a secretary. At the age of 76, she returned to school to become a master gardner through Washington State University Cooperative Extension.
Dolores is survived by her three sons, Lawrence, Richard and Dennis; one daughter, Pauline Marie; eight grandchildren, Joshua, Rachel, Nels, Erin, Sarah, Nicole, Stella and Cami; and 11 great-grandchildren, Macaela, Adrian, Tristin, Annie, Myah, Gavin, Elliot, Victor, Maclon, Persephone and Valora.
In the words of Dolores, “Look what can happen when you say ‘yes’ to a proposal! Would I have changed anything? Absolutely not. It was a wonderful experience and I will embark on my next great adventure with blessings and love.”
You are loved by us all and will truly be missed.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Providence Hospice Care team for the excellent service and compassionate care of our mother and grandmother.
A memorial will be held by her friends on Nov. 8, 1 to 3 p.m. at Stanwood American Legion Hall, 26921 88th Ave NW, Stanwood.
