Carol Louise Kaiser

“Bring joy to what you do. Be kind. Smile.” Carol wrote these words not long after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis in the spring, including them in a list of her most important life lessons. As her friends can attest, Carol took these lessons to heart, bringing joy, kindness, and her beautiful smile to nearly every encounter and endeavor. Being around Carol, you just couldn't help smiling, too. Fit and youthful, with a flair for creativity and self-reflection, Carol loved yoga and Zumba, reading and writing, listening to classical music and singing in her church choir. She loved dining out with friends, going to movies at the Grand Cinema, and attending opera lectures at the library. She loved folding delicate origami, creating cross-stitch art, and hiking in the mountains--this vibrant woman once even climbed Mount Hood! Her enthusiasm for experiencing life's pleasures was so infectious, you just couldn't help wanting to experience these things, too, and—thanks to Carol—sometimes you did (Prosecco! Drum circle! Downward-facing dog!). And your world became a bigger, brighter place as a result. An only child, Carol was born on March 6, 1947 in Riverside, California. She earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Lewis and Clark College in Oregon, a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington, and a Graduate Certificate in Organization Development from Antioch University. A smart and resourceful business woman, she worked as a Principal Organizational Consultant (among other positions) at San Diego Gas & Electric for nearly ten years before relocating to Lakewood, Washington and starting her own consulting company, CLK Consultants, in 1995. She also worked for Magellan Health Services and Group Health Cooperative, and lived in American Samoa for a time while consulting to the American Samoan Government. Rarely short on energy, she volunteered as President of the Alumni Association at Lewis & Clark College and as a visitor center volunteer at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Carol and her beautiful smile left us on January 6, and we miss her more than words can say. Heartfelt thanks go to devoted friends Jane and Rick for helping Carol during her illness. We are also so grateful to her caregivers who looked after her with such compassion; to the choir, staff, and members of Christ Episcopal Church whose regular visits she looked forward to; to Ronna who painted her nails and kept the garden she loved beautiful; and to Cherie whose homemade bread and muffins sustained us all. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Grand Cinema in Tacoma (www.grandcinema.com) or to the Friends of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (www.friendsofnisquallynwr.org). A celebration of life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church Puyallup (www.episcopallup.com) Sunday March 8 at 2 pm. Carol loved her scarves and shawls, so those attending her celebration of life are encouraged to wear their favorite.