Christine V. Carson

Christine V. Carson passed away January 6, 2019, in Olympia, Washington, due to cancer. She was born June 27, 1950 to Raymond and Mary Carson in Cleveland, Ohio. A 45-year resident of Olympia, Chris also lived in Berkeley, California; Kent, Ohio; and Lakewood, Ohio. She earned Bachelor’s Degrees from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, and South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia. She also took business and creative writing classes. Chris worked at the Washington State Library in Olympia, was a waitress while at Kent State (1968-1970), and a nanny while in Berkeley (1970-1972). Chris loved reading, writing, art work, volunteering, gardening, music, sewing, cooking, and teaching children in daycare. She often used quotes and anecdotes in her communication. She was big-hearted and extremely caring. She demonstrated love for her family, friends, and her community through her involvement in things that were important to her. Chris was a constant presence in the activist and nonprofit communities in Olympia for decades, dedicating hours to the Olympia Film Society, Books for Prisoners, Fellowship of Reconciliation, and a broad range of social justice issues. She was a member of Veterans for Peace, helped Carole M. Burr with the founding of Thurston Public Access Television (TCMEdia) and the list goes on. Chris organized numerous concerts, fundraisers, film festivals, human rights campaigns, women’s rights efforts, and war protests. Her passion for supporting these causes started as early as 1970 when she protested at Kent State against the Vietnam War. She organized and fought for everyone. Chris is survived by her brothers, Scott Carson of Eugene, Oregon, Kit Carson of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; sister, Grace Leissa of Lakewood, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Natalie, Meghan, Dannyh, Katana; one great niece. She is predeceased by her parents; grandparents, Grace and Martin Young, and Paul Carson and wife; and niece, Brittany Mary Grace Leissa. A memorial service took place January 14, 2019 at the Capitol Theater in Olympia.