Carolyn Mallory

Carolyn Rankin Mallory passed away in Thousand Oaks, California on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 after a brief illness. Born in Los Angeles, she lived all her full and vibrant life in southern California except a few years in the South.

Early on, Carolyn showed sturdy optimism – sometimes against odds. At age nine, a discouraging time, she found a budding flower under snow and declared that it foretold of better days ahead.

Carolyn earned three college degrees: a bachelor’s in physics/mathematics; and master’s degrees in education and in physics. She was a teacher at heart and by trade, sharing knowledge with students, family, and friends. Astronomy was her special passion. She taught it in schools and on cruise ships, but also at star parties for the Ventura County Astronomical Society, her family and friends, and her neighbors. She regularly opened her Lindero Canyon Middle School and Calabasas High School classrooms to after-hours activities, and accommodated students’ unique learning needs, schedules, and test timing. She served as co-director of Moorpark College Observatory during the time she taught there, and as an associate professor, contributed to planning Pierce College’s Planetarium, also founding its Astronomy Club in 2004.

Carolyn was a camping enthusiast bringing her powerful telescope to show family the Moon, Mars, Saturn and its rings, and far-distant constellations. She was a lifelong health enthusiast and by popular request would bring nutritious foods like her homemade whole grain pancake mix on camping trips. The family would cook together, talk, and hike in beautiful outdoor settings. In all ways, Carolyn tried to make the world a better place by serving others and being the first to lend a helping hand.

She also loved animals. Many of her students still remember their favorite classroom pets and the unique and clever names she gave them. Throughout her life, Carolyn owned horses, goats, dogs and cats, snakes, guinea pigs, gerbils, a gigantic salamander, lizards, tarantulas, bunnies, a duck, and a caiman. She always remembered the names of family members’ pets and the toys they liked best.

She raised four children with her first husband William Lee Mallory II (“Bill”) before divorcing in 1979. Her second husband, Thomas Bancroft, was the love of her life and her soulmate. The couple loved each other deeply, admired and supported each other, and fulfilled each other in unique ways. They shared many inside jokes and quips, including making dinner reservations in the name of "Luke and Laura Winchester." A favorite photograph showed them dressed in the style of such a backwoods couple.

Carolyn was predeceased by husband Thom Bancroft, and daughter Linda Mallory and leaves behind adoring sisters Ann Rankin and Bev Barela, brother Tom Rankin, daughters Marian (Jim) Wall and Kathleen Mallory, and son William Lee Mallory III (“Lee”); and nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Carolyn would be happy if you made a donation in her memory to the Ventura County Astronomical Society, or to an environmental organization of your choice. If that strains your budget, then volunteer at your favorite cause in her honor.

The Celebration of Life for Carolyn Rankin Mallory will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025 starting at 1:30 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA. A reception of life follows in Newbury Park. Contact Kathleen Mallory for reception details.