Carolina M Willis

(January 10, 1926 - April 1, 2012)

Mrs. Carolina Ross Mackay Willis, 86, of Sequim passed away at her home on April 1, 2012.

Carolina was born January 10, 1926, in Belvedere, California, to Hector William and Mary Ann Sutherland Mackay, being the first-born American citizen of this Scottish immigrant family.

On April 9, 1948, she married Alfred B. Willis in Barstow, California. The two remained married and devoted to each other until her passing.

After graduating from Barstow Union High School in 1944, she went to the University of Southern California School of Nursing.

She held many positions in her lifetime. She worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a yard clerk in Yermo, California. In Barstow, she worked for both the freight and transportation office for the U.S. Marine Corps and as a school librarian and attendance clerk for the Barstow Unified School District; as an administrative assistant for the law office of her brother, Neil S. Mackay, in Anchorage, Alaska; and she retired from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce in Alaska.

She was a member of the Sequim Community Church, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Sequim Stroke Support Group.

Carolina was a dear woman who would do anything for anyone, and she will be dearly missed. She had a joy for life and knew no stranger. Her humor, wit, love of family and friends, and faith made her an inspiration to many.

While living in the Kenai Peninsula area, Carolina and Alfred made many friends, and the Peninsula always held many fond memories for Carolina.

She is survived by her husband; son and daughter-in-law Charlie and Nancy Willis of Wasilla, Alaska; daughter Mary (Willis) Alden of Sequim; grandchildren Garrett and Amber Willis of Wasilla, Callie Willis of Kennewick, Washington, Tarah Alden of Englewood, Colorado, Jared Alden of Redmond, Washington, and Neil Scott Mackay Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia; and great-grandchildren Braeden Ross and Blake Cooper Willis of Wasilla.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law Neil S. and Barbara Hayes Mackay; and first-born child William Brice Willis.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 21, at 4 p.m. at Sequim Community Church, 950 North Fifth Avenue. In respect to Carolina's Scottish heritage, Mr. Thomas O. McCurdy, bagpiper, will play on the pipes, which are courtesy of the late owner, Mr. John Irwin, Australian Army Howitzer unit, World War I.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sequim Community Church c/o Youth Group, 905 North Fifth Avenue, Sequim, WA 98382.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. — Psalm 23