Carol Ann Forslund

Full of life, laughter, mischief, and fun throughout her life, she surrounded herself with things that made her happy.

Mom loved animals her whole life, and was dedicated to her pets. She never missed an opportunity to get close

with a chimp or crocodile, only one of which she hugged for one of her favorite pictures ever. Growing up there

were always pets- cats, dogs, fish, and briefly a bird (sorry about that mom). Her dearest orange cat Gus was the

light of her life for years, but Boomer, Elsa, Skippy, Rocky, Bugsy, and Murphy had also previously shared that

title. Her home with my dad was also filled with bird feeders, saltlicks for the deer, and a custom made platform

with peanuts for the squirrels to enjoy. Granted, you’re not supposed to feed wild animals, but watch out if you

threw away scraps that could be thrown out back for the deer. Even the wild turkeys and vultures were considered

pets and considered part of her animal family.

Music and entertainment was a big part of her life. Her parents, Bill and Shirley Bowles, loved the big bands, and

mom had grown up with music always in the background. She often talked about seeing Elvis Pressley in concert,

though was quick to complain that all the screaming girls made it difficult to hear. I remember growing up with a

constant soundtrack in the background of broadway showtunes, Elton John, movie soundtracks, the Beach Boys,

and hundreds of vinyl favorites by the stereo. She was an encyclopedia of music, rattling off song titles and artists

with uncanny accuracy. Broadway musicals were a love for both her and my dad, and the collection of Playbill

magazines was extensive over the years. Her last musical was Matilda with her grandkids Will and Ainsley, which

she said made her so happy that she could share theater with them. One of my favorite memories is missing

school to go to the matinee shows with my mom, who obviously had her priorities right. She loved movies, movies

of all kinds. She loved stories that made her laugh, cry, mysteries, and scary stories that even made you close

your eyes and peek through your fingers. She said later on that she would have been involved in forensics

somehow if she could do it again. That makes sense knowing how curious she was, a natural detective.

Carol loved travel, particularly being near the ocean, or really any body of water. She loved her trips to Bodega

Bay and the Oregon coast, always longing for the seaside. She often reminisced about her trip to Europe when

she was young, which included entering the Soviet Union and highlights like Rome and Athens. Her YWCA trip

lasted weeks and led to many friendships and memories. Later in life she traveled with me to China, and

considered it a highlight of her life to be there together. Getting sick and having to visit the emergency room at

Shanghai People’s Hospital #4 might have thrown some people, but mom was game for anything and it made for

a great story. (Special thanks to Michael for navigating that adventure). She traveled with my dad a lot, to places

like New York, New Orleans, Nashville, and Alaska. She was always up for an adventure, and I think probably

would have gone anywhere if given the chance.

Any visitor to her house was welcomed by all things that represented mom and dad. Barney, the fake basset

hound, cuckoo clocks, wooden bears, curio cabinets, travel souvenirs, and a myriad of ceramic pigs and roosters.

Mom loved decor, and decorations of all kinds. You almost felt like you were walking around in a museum, albeit a

cluttered one. She loved holiday decorations, to the point of feeling like you were at Santa’s workshop. Easter

bunnies, stuffed turkeys (cloth, not cooked), and 4th of July flags were always prominent- seemingly a perpetual

party atmosphere. She loved to play Bridge, cribbage, Yahtzee (called Yogi in my family for some reason), and

doing jigsaw puzzles, Rummikub with Sue and Bobbie was a joy of late, with boisterous games at the table with

her new friends. Then there were the crafts. The garage was literally bulging with crafts-related projects and

supplies. Wooden snowmen, pots that looked like Frankenstien, colorful birdhouses, and beautiful quilts. Mom

loved being creative, and of course sharing her colorful creations with others. Dad was a big part of course,

helping her put those fish tables together and setting up the paint station. They were partners for so many things.

Speaking of dad, they were married 52 years. He passed away in 2019 and was obviously a big part of these

memories. She loved him, and missed his companionship when he passed away. Mom loved her family. She

often spoke of how much she missed her mom Shirley, and how much I would have liked her. Any sense of humor

I have I get from my mom, and apparently Grom (grandma) too. She loved her dad Bill, her cousins, and her close

friends who became family to her. Mom loved her grandkids, Will and Ainsley, and often spoke about how proud

she was of who they had become. She loved her son Rick, and hoped the best for him. And she loved me. I know

that because she told me all the time. How lucky I was to have someone so open and free with their feelings. She

was generous with her love, her friendships, and her time. She was always there to help and listen. She was

colorful and bright, so often filled with humor and joy, and so very generous to those around her. She told me once

this past year “you’re my favorite buddy”, well you were my buddy too mom, and we’ll all miss you.

No need for cards, money, or flowers. Just tell those close to you that you love them, and maybe go to the beach,

play a game, or make something goofy and think of her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageGoldenDoor.com for the Forslund family.