Lois "Carol" Calkins

Following a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease, Lois “Carol” Calkins transitioned from this world on September 14, 2018, 82 years after she delighted her parents, Loma and Cliff, with her presence. Carol leaves behind her partner and spouse of 30 years, Marjorie Neff. As the eldest child of Cliff and Loma, she also leaves behind her siblings, William C. Calkins (Maureen), Dotty Judy (Cliff) and John B. Calkins, (Mary); and numerous nieces and nephews. Carol was an outstanding teen, receiving numerous awards, including one for saving a young man from drowning. Carol attended and graduated from Emmanuel School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon. She had a beautiful voice and sang in choirs, a trio and sextet. She sang harmony and soothed her young siblings with her singing. She played the piano and the guitar with a unique talent. Carol had a long and extensive 50-year career as a Registered Nurse. She was a professional nurse, certified by the American Nurses’ Association as a psychiatric nurse. She was considered to be an expert clinician by many other psychiatric nursing experts. She was also a manager of programs for individuals with chronic mental illness. As a young psychiatric nurse, she studied and worked in Scotland with Maxwell Jones, MD, the “father of the therapeutic community.” This experience informed her practice. This philosophy practices respect for individuals as instruments in their own treatment, and places high value on the individuals’ active participation in the treatment agreed upon with an emphasis on shared responsibility for the outcome. She witnessed many changes in psychiatric treatment, including the advent of the newer psychiatric medications. Carol worked in community, inpatient and teaching settings in Oregon, California, Scotland, New Mexico, Yakima and Olympia, Washington. In all settings, she was a compassionate and loving professional with her patients. Carol was a great friend, a superb storyteller, and a person with a great and wicked sense of humor. She had a great eye and took many interesting photographs. She was beloved by her spouse, siblings, family members and friends. She is free now to move about the cosmos. The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care Carol received during her illness, particularly Sonam, Pemba, Dowa, Kunjang and Pawan Sherpa. Thank you for your tender and loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at South Sound Manor, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.