Obituary of Errol Cecily Carstensen

ERROL CECILY CARSTENSEN A memorial service will be held in Felton on January 28, for Errol Carstensen who passed away in Santa Cruz on December 24, 2011 at the age of 87. Born in San Jose, Errol moved to Oakland as young child and later graduated from Fremont High School in 1942. Errol worked for a time at American Trust Bank in Oakland .She married and raised her family in Oakland, and moved to Mt. Hermon, California in 1974 following her husband's retirement. Her family will remember her interests in genealogy, the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, and her wonderful collection of dolls. An accomplished traveler, she visited Europe, and traveled across the US and Canada numerous times. She had a passion for caring for her elderly relatives, and was remembered for both her kindness, and as a woman of faith. Errol belonged to Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Oakland from 1954 to 1974, and later that year became a member of Felton Presbyterian Church where she has attended since. For the past three years, she resided at Maple House 2, receiving wonderful care from them, and leaving many dear friends there. Errol was devoted to her loved ones. She had a fantastic memory for dates and life's passages; consistently sending greeting cards and gifts to her family and friends for all occasions. Her kindness and giving spirit even reached to those she did not know, as Errol supported children overseas for many years. A very patriotic person, she was an avid supporter of our American Veterans and the organizations representing them. She is survived by her daughters and sons in-law: Lorre Winkler (John) of Mt. Hermon, CA; Sally Naley of El Cajon, CA; Bonny Fant (Carl) of Florence, KY., her brother, Glendon Heath (Barbara) of Southfield, MI; her niece, Nancy de Moraes (Celio) of Alexandria, VA; her nephew, Andy Whitman (Katie) of Port Townsend, WA; her five granddaughters: Heather Gonzalez (Mike) of El Cajon, Kirsten Shackelford of Manchester, MD; Heidi Lynn Bragg of Florence, KY; Sandra Winkler of Los Angeles, CA; and Lindsay Winkler of Mt. Hermon, CA. Errol also leaves her four great- grandchildren: Angeline and Gavin Gonzalez both of El Cajon, CA; and Summer and John Shackelford both of Manchester, MD. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Gladys Heath, her sister, Marilynn Whitman, and her husband of 50 years, retired Oakland Policeman, Morris R. Carstensen. Friends and family will gather for a memorial service on January 28, 2012 at Felton Presbyterian Church (6090 Highway 9 Felton, CA. 95018 (831) 335-6909) beginning at One O'clock p.m. A private burial has taken place at Felton District Cemetery. Contributions may be made in her memory, in lieu of flowers, to Felton Presbyterian Church.