Carolyn Watson Kruger

There was nothing she wanted more than her children and grandchildren to be happy, healthy and thriving. She loved to be in touch with her sorority sisters, and the range of students she supported from the special education classroom to the men in the minimum security jail was remarkable.

Beginning with her relocation to Pasadena in 2014 and later to Portland, Carolyn received steady care and support for 11 years from her daughter, Jennifer. Over the past year, her care was looked after by her daughter, Susanne, concluding with her final 7 weeks living in Hawaii.

Family memories include her working in her father's card and gift shop in high school, advocating for the crosswalk in front of Desert Cove Elementary School when Jennifer and Susanne were little, and organizing peer tutoring for the men in the minimum security jail so they could earn their GEDs.

Carolyn lived a life of bravery, perseverance and determination. At 65 years old, after a round with breast cancer, she completed two women’s triathlons, re-learning to ride a bike and declaring, “I never run and I will walk.” In 2009 she beat all odds in her stroke recovery, overcoming significant physical and mental compromises to keep going forward.

In March this year, after a trip to Malibu to visit her favorite restaurant, Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, she transitioned to Hawaii to spend her final days surrounded by family and the ocean she loved so much.

One of her very dear friends says this: 'I'm sure she's giving God a run for his money, enjoying the renewed freedom and joy of movement she's been deprived over the last few years. With her decades of teaching students, her love of reading and learning, and her generosity of spirit, she was truly an inspiration.”

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on Zoom, Saturday, August 15 3pm PST/4pm MT/6pm ET.

If you would like to make a donation in her honor, please make it to Kappa Alpha Theta: https://www.kappaalphatheta.org/foundation/make-a-general-donation