Obituary of Jeanne Williams Carey

Jeanne Carey lived life to the fullest. She truly lived up to the "Carpe diem" Latin saying. She had many academic accomplishments, as well as numerous contributions to the City of Santa Cruz's committees of social justice. Beyond these, she was a gifted person who never failed to give of herself. She took in many foster children over the years that needed homes, raised her eight children, volunteered her time to the causes of children in this town, and the veterans of wars. She never shut the door on anyone in need, and was loved by her students and many friends she had made over the years. She taught her children to give of themselves to others in need. She and her husband Bill had yearly St. Patrick's Day parties, and held dinner parties for years every Sunday night with guitar and discussions. She was an accomplished writer, swimmer, teacher, mother, and friend, and academic. She had a mind that would never stop, and a memory that could recite most all historical events and dates. She was always up for a debate, with her quick mind and Irish wit. She was a teacher in the true sense of the word. A teacher of altruism, love, determination, perseverance, strength, compassion, faith, and empathy. The word "boredom" was not allowed, as her belief was how could life ever be boring? Jeanne was the daughter of Janina and Harry W. Williams. Born June 14, 1922 in Rensselaer, New York, she attended the Academy of Holy Names in Albany before enrolling in the Army in 1941. After being honorably discharged in 1945, she attended Albany Law School where she met William J. Carey whom she married in 1947. They lived outside Newburgh New York, raising seven children before moving to Santa Cruz, California in 1962. She had her last son (eighth child) in Santa Cruz and then turned her attention to finishing her education. She went to UCSC and received a BA in sociology (with honors) in 1972, and a MA in public service from San Francisco State University in 1978. She was named to the Statehouse Conference on Children and Youth, Chairman for the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Justice Commission and the Delinquency Prevention Commission, and she served on the board of directors for the Legal Aid Society. She taught at and was principal of Marello Preparatory High School in the 1980's. She worked as a substitute teacher for Santa Cruz School district. Her career in education spanned over 25 years. She was active in the local Catholic Daughters, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames and the Santa Cruz Business & Professional Woman's Club, the Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion and the local Veterans' chapter. She was a long time parishioner of Holy Cross Church and attended The Shrine of St. Joseph the Redeemer on West Cliff Drive for the last ten years. She is survived by her eight children (Maureen, Michael, Christopher, Cathleen, Padraic, Cormac, Siobhan and Conor) and their spouses, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband William J. Carey in 1995, her granddaughter Jennifer Carey in 1998, her adopted son, Dennis W. Carey in 1999, her grandson, McCormac Carey in 2002 and her brother, Harry W. Williams in 2010. Jeanne spent her last years with wonderful caregivers at her home and at Aegis of Aptos courageously fighting the ravages of dementia with grace & dignity. The family wishes to acknowledge her private caregivers Rosario O'Reilly, the staff at Visiting Angels, particularly Amy Asher, the many staff at Aegis of Aptos & the wonderful compassion provided by Hospice of Santa Cruz. A Mass will held at Holy Cross Church (126 High Street) in Santa Cruz on Saturday, June 29, 2013 beginning at 10:30 am. Please feel free to wear warm or bright colors, as she would have wanted that. Burial will be at the San Joaquin National Cemetery, Gustine, CA In Lieu of flowers, The Carey family request that donations be made to the Public Schools at www.donorschoose.org/ or the Disabled Veterans www.dav.org/donate/default.aspx