Carol Ann Perkins

August 1, 1953 – July 23, 2016

Carol Ann Perkins, 63, passed away on July 23, 2016 at Simi Adventist Hospital in Simi Valley, California. She was born on August 1, 1953 in Red Bank, New Jersey to Donald McFarlan Ganson and Madeline Jean Ganson (Byrd).

Carol was born in 1953 in New Jersey. Brother Bruce followed in 1954, sister Evy in 1956, and brother Doug in 1957. In 1958 the family moved to California, first to Mar Vista, then to Northridge, where brother Scott joined the family in 1959. The family moved frequently as her father advanced his semiconductor engineering career, spending one year (1962) in Palo Alto, one year (1964) in Ogallala, Nebraska, less than a year in Redondo Beach, and finally settling in West Hills. Sister Debbie completed the family in 1965. Carol loved to bake for the family, creating bread, cinnamon rolls, and sweets from scratch.

Carol attended Chatsworth High School (class of 1971) and excelled in her studies, especially biology. Carol was active in 4-H clubs, raising rabbits and showing them at fairs. She also loved hamsters, guinea pigs, and of course cats! She loved horses and became an accomplished rider, and owned her own horse during her teens. She became a bookworm as soon as she could read, and from childhood and throughout her life, she loved to relax with a good book.

Carol married Kerry Perkins in 1976, in West Hills, California. They were happily married for nearly 40 years. In 1977 she gave birth to daughter Jessica Perkins.

Family vacations were almost always camping trips, where Carol developed her lifelong love for the outdoors, nature, and hiking. She was an avid outdoor lover and in 2012 completed a backpacking trip to the High Sierra Camps, hiking over 30 miles in the backcountry. She loved to crochet and made hundreds of afghans, sweaters, and beanies for people she loved. Carol’s work ethic was nothing short of amazing, having retired from both Sears and Farmers Insurance after careers of over twenty years. She was passionate about fitness and spent many years attending Jazzercise classes and events, where she made many lasting friendships. In addition to working full time, she still had the time and energy to raise a daughter and run a household. Her gererous and loving soul will be sorely missed.

Carol is survived by her loving husband Kerry, of Simi Valley, California, and her adoring daughter Jessica, of Ventura, California, sisters Evelyn and Debbie, brothers Bruce, Doug, and Scott as well as her nieces and nephews and other family.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held to honor her memory on August 7, 2016, at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, California. The address is 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA 91362.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Susan G. Komen organization. http://ww5.komen.org/

Condolences may be left on Carol Perkins’ online guest book here - http://tinyurl.com/hgsoppc

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary, Westlake Village, CA.