The passionate, astute, and adventurous spirit of Carol Leanne Wachana was born on April 27, 1962, in Renton, Washington, to Lois Ann Watkins and Ralph LeRoy Watkins. She passed peacefully in her sleep on September 15, 2026, in Seattle, WA, with family at her bedside. She is survived by her four beloved children, Austin Wanjala Wachana, Nameme Lydia Wachana, Michael Sifuna Wachana, and Heather Khaikwa Wachana; her siblings, Trula (David) LeBleue, Catherine Watkins, and Russell (Lois) Watkins; her former husband, Robert Wachana; as well as numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and oldest brother, Dale LeRoy Watkins.
Carol dedicated her life to education and expanding her knowledge of culture and language. In her lifetime, Carol earned a Master of Science Education, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology Teacher Education from Central Washington University with the highest honors, summa cum laude. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree, she joined the Peace Corps, where she taught biology to high school girls in Kenya. She often credited this experience as the foundation of the deep resilience, global curiosity, and passion for teaching that she carried throughout her life. She spent much of her adult life in Kenya, where she raised her children and worked as an esteemed educator. Upon returning to the United States, she continued her passion for teaching
as an adult ESL teacher and examiner for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Carol had numerous hobbies and interests, including traveling, swimming, cooking, baking, crocheting, reading, writing, and classical music. Her sense of adventure and exploration brought her to a variety of corners of the globe that she called home, including, but not limited to, Seattle, WA; Stevenson, WA; Pahrump, NV; Honolulu, HI; Miami, FL; Nairobi,
Kenya, and Bungoma, Kenya.
Many thanks to her children, family, friends, colleagues, and students who brought immense joy, laughter, and fulfillment to her life.
