Carol Karn Telfer

Joyce Karn Telfer. Born in Oakland, California, on December 26th,

1928, Carol left us on December 20th of this year, just 6 days before her

90th birthday. Comforted and circled by her loving family, including her

children Jim Telfer, Steven Telfer, and Alison Telfer Bockeloh, Carol's

final struggle was mercifully short.

Prior to moving to Houston in 1972, Carol's entire life was spent in the

Bay Area. She was the third of four children born to William and Agnes

Karn, and, like all of her siblings, graduated from UC Berkeley. While

attending college she worked for the Oakland Tribune newspaper. Upon

graduation, she briefly taught elementary school.

She was passionate about education for the rest of her life, working for

many years with the American Association of University Women as

Chair of the Expanding Your Horizons conference, introducing

thousands of Houston-area girls to professional women in science,

technology and finance. After the tragic death of her oldest son Bill in

1984, Carol created the Baker-Telfer Scholarship, awarded to high

school senior girls who have excelled in math and sciences. She

devoted time and energy to supporting educational opportunities for

girls throughout this region.

Carol married her sweetheart Al Telfer in 1953. Their marriage lasted 56

years until Al's death in 2009. They raised 4 children together, plus 7

grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way in

April. Family was Carol's deepest joy - in addition to her own family, she

remained very close to her three siblings Jean Karn Working, Richard

Karn, and Marilyn Karn Young, all still alive, as well as her 10 nieces

and nephews, and all of their children. Nothing pleased her more than

to be surrounded by the warmth and love of her extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the

Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund to continue Carol's long legacy of

support for girls' education. Checks may be made payable to The

Baker-Telfer Scholarship, care of Ms. Pat Dach, 6014 Ballina Canyon

Lane, Houston, TX, 77041.