Carolyn Denise Booth

Carolyn (Cari) Denise Booth, age 72, passed away peacefully at home on October 15, 2021, from acute myeloid leukemia. She was surrounded by her loving family. Cari is now in heaven with her Lord and Savior.

Cari was born on January 26, 1949 in Brainerd, Minnesota to Robert and Della Wilen. As a young child she moved with her family to Vancouver, Washington where she grew up spending time with her parents, her sister Debbie, her grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her family enjoyed camping and boating on Spirit Lake.

Cari graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in 1967. She continued her education at Emanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Portland where she graduated as an RN in 1970 and met her lifelong best friend Debbie Larkin. During nurses training Cari met Gary on a blind date. Little did either of them know that this date would lead to a lifetime together.

Gary and Cari were married on December 19, 1969 and were married for 51 years. Throughout their first 12 years of marriage Cari worked as an RN at Emmanuel Hospital and then at Dwyer Memorial Hospital. In 1972 they welcomed their son Jason and 1974 their daughter Anjanette.

In the mid 1980’s Cari made the decision to change careers after attending a Home Interiors and Gifts’ show. She fell in love with home decorating and became a successful displayer with the company. Throughout Cari’s career with Home Interiors she decorated countless homes, grew a business managing over 200 displayers, and ended her 25 year career as a branch manager. Cari was also blessed with a family of lifelong friends from Home Interiors. They enjoyed attending work conventions together, traveling, and watching each other's families grow.

During retirement Cari developed a passion for card making after attending a Stampin’ Up class with her friend Debbie. She shared her love of card making teaching classes at her mother’s senior living home and crafting with her grandchildren. Cari also developed friendships with many of her Stampin Up colleagues, enjoying their time together at conventions and traveling.

Throughout her life Cari loved spending time boating, playing games, and visiting with her family and friends at her cabin in Northwoods on Swift Creek Reservoir. Since Gary and Cari purchased the cabin in 1983 the family spent much of their time there sledding in the winter, swimming in the summer, cooking huge meals, playing games, and sharing funny stories by the fire. When Cari was not spending her free time at the cabin she loved traveling. Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Disneyland, and Disney World were a few of her favorite destinations.

Cari also enjoyed reading, sewing, watching Hallmark movies, celebrating all of the holidays, baking cookies, decorating her house, and visiting with friends. Most of all she loved caring for and spending time with her husband, her two children, and her eight grandchildren.

Cari’s love for her husband, children, and grandchildren was immeasurable. Her family meant everything to her. Cari is survived by her husband Gary; their children Jason and Anjanette; her daughter-in-law Alison; her son-in-law Rob; her eight grandchildren Ian, Riley, Mia, Delaney, Jacob, Olivia, Ava, and Derek; and her sister Debbie.

Cari was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and woman who will be missed by all who knew her. The family would like to thank all of the incredible doctors and nurses at the Providence Franz Cancer Institute and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute that cared for Cari throughout her battle with leukemia. The family welcomes donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as an expression of sympathy. A celebration of life will be held for Cari in the Spring.