Carol M. Arff

Carol Gilbertson Arff passed away peacefully at her home on April 21, 2012,with her loving family at her side, following a courageous three-year battle with cancer. Carol was born on January 31, 1935 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin to Edgar and Lilah Gilbertson. She graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1953 after developing her love for music by singing in the school choir and playing clarinet in the high school band. In 1957, after attending the University of Wisconsin, Carol moved to Hollywood, California with her three best friends, Joan, Carolyn and Tina, spending their weekends enjoying the Southern California sun, playing at the beach, and laying by the pool. While in Hollywood, she was employed as a Secretary at Mobil Oil Corporation. During her first year in California, Carol met and fell in love with Don Arff. They married the following year at the Hollywood Methodist Church on October 24, 1959. A few years later, they settled in Fullerton and raised two daughters, Kristi and Pam. While raising her family, Carol volunteered with several charitable organizations as a member of Junior Ebell, Child Guidance and the Childrens League of Fullerton. After raising her daughters, Carol worked for 25 years at Troy High School in the Counseling Office and as the schools Registrar. She loved her job, the students and faculty, and her many co-workers at Troy, all of whom she considered dear friends . Some of Carols best memories were the years she spent with Don playing golf, taking long walks, family vacations at the beach, listening to jazz at Steamers Jazz Club in Fullerton and spending the Christmas season and Fall in Boise with her granddaughters, Taryn and Carly. Carol was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her sweet humility, selflessness, sense of humor and warmth will be greatly missed and will remain forever in our hearts. Carol will be greeted in heaven by her mother, Lilah, father, Edgar, and brother, Stan. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her husband and best friend of 52 years, Don, daughters, Kristi and Pam, granddaughters, Taryn and Carly, son-in-law, Steve, sister, Maxine Fenzl, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating Carols life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 28th, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 111 West Las Palmas Drive, Fullerton, CA 92835. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CityofHope.org