Carol Salin John

Carol Salin John, 95, of San Francisco, California, passed away on January 17, 2026, surrounded by family. A lifelong artist, she leaves behind a legacy of beautiful artwork, most notably, landscapes of her beloved California, and a family whom she loved.

Carol John was born in New York, NY, on April 4, 1930, to Michael Salinsky and Edith Proops. She had a sketchbook in hand from the age of five. Encouraged by her father, she took Saturday art classes at the Parsons School of Design in New York City during her high school years and was awarded a scholarship in her second year at the school. She attended Syracuse University on an Art Department scholarship and graduated with honors with a BFA in Art. Carol moved to California after graduation to pursue studies at Mills College in Oakland, CA, and serve as a teaching assistant. She loved California and would often recount her fascination at seeing a palm tree for the first time upon arrival in the state. After a year she transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with an MA in Art. At UC Berkeley she met such noted artists as Paul Wonner (a peer and studio mate of Richard Diebenkorn) and Bill Brown who influenced her work.

Carol resided at the International House at UC Berkeley and while there met and fell in love with fellow graduate student, physicist Walter John, Jr. Carol and Walter were married in 1954, and he was the love of her life for 69 years until his passing in 2023. Carol was devoted to her family and is survived by her children Kenneth John (wife Kathy) of Arlington, VA, Leslie John (husband Greg Blackman) of Media, PA, Laura Ryle (husband Clint) of Cloverdale, CA, and Claudia Shearer of San Francisco; grandchildren August Blackman, Rachel Blackman, Rebecca Hoskins (husband Ward), Dean Shearer, and Elizabeth Shearer; and great-grandchild Winslow Hoskins. Carol would always light up at the sight of little Winslow.

Carol found time for her artwork even while raising four children and for civic engagement. She was a longtime member of the Democratic Women’s Club of Contra Costa County, CA, and actively participated in opposition to the Vietnam War. She also studied graphic art at Laney College in Oakland, CA, and in 1981 started her own company, Geranium Graphics, which she operated for 16 years.

She exhibited her art in the Bay Area at solo and juried shows throughout her life. She often depicted scenes from the Bay Area, including wild mustard fields, Mount Diablo, and the Pacific shore. A versatile artist, she also was accomplished at figure drawing. She worked with oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, and digitals.

In addition to her family and her art, Carol loved the beach, especially Stinson Beach, CA, and Lewes, DE, viewing art shows, traveling, and attending the symphony and ballet.

Memorial gifts in honor of Carol Salin John can be made to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano in Concord, CA.