Remembering Carol

Carol Lee Brewer was born in Ridney, New York to Harold & Josephine Harrington. (I’m intentionally leaving out the year because she would be so pissed if I told everyone how old she was.)

It is with great sadness that we share that Mom passed away on March 11, 2022, from cancer. How does anyone summarize a life in a few short paragraphs? To put it simply, Mom was amazing. She gave everything she had to those she loved, and she loved with her whole heart. She was the mom that made all our Halloween costumes, cooked everything from scratch (though we have yet to figure out how she got cranberry sauce in the shape of a can), and made sure we always had something special to wear on big occasions. She always put so much thought into everything she did.

In 1981, Mom married the love of her life and best friend, James David Brewer, and spent the next 41 years putting up with him and ALL his crazy hunting and fishing trips. It’s a good thing she loved to camp as much as she did! Mom’s greatest joy was her family. She originally wanted ten children! After my brother and I, she was more than satisfied. She loved her children and their families so much: her son Ryan Ray Wilson with partner Estelle Mitchell, and their new baby girl Maxine Marie; and her daughter Amy Lee Dinsmore with husband Travis Dinsmore, and their daughters Carlee James and Summer Scott. Carlee was named after Carol, and she was her most treasured gift. Mom loved bumblebees and wanted to be called “Gran-bee” by her grandkids; but Carlee was determined to call her “Monkey” and “Monkey” is what we have called her ever since. She loved those grandbabies with everything she had and was just heartbroken that she wouldn’t have the opportunity to watch them grow. Each time we see a bumblebee, Carlee reminds us that “Monkey” is paying us a visit.

Mom had a work ethic like no other. Many of you reading this know her as that bright smile and avid heart-shaped rock collector that greeted you at the front desk of Drs. Russell and Mark Pardoe for well over thirty years. She rarely took a sick day and always made sure she cared for others as she wished to be cared for. She loved the entire Pardoe family as if they were her own.

Mom was an antique enthusiast, always getting so excited when she “won” something on eBay. She has one of the largest collections of Granite Ware, with well over 100 pieces. Mom loved so many things! She loved pigmy goats, gardening, cooking, collecting, George Strait, sipping Fireball warm, and blaring country music on Sundays while she cleaned the house. She especially loved the home that Dad remodeled in Myrtle Point, Oregon. Mom was happiest there, eating at the little diner down the street, chasing turkeys out of her yard, and being surrounded by her many special friends.

Each year on Mom’s birthday, we went on a birthday adventure. The best memories were made during these wild and crazy trips. We lived! We went hot air ballooning, on boat excursions around San Francisco Bay, on a surprise limo ride to see George Strait and Reba McEntire, to antique shows, and our all-time favorite – sneaking alcohol and cookies into our bags and spending the entire day atop a double decker bus riding around San Francisco. We drank, ate, giggled until we peed our pants, and eventually got kicked off. Mom was always up to trying anything, at least once. She was patient, easy going, and so incredibly fun!!!

We miss you so much, Mom. We miss your sly smile, your great big hugs, your “never leave the house without lip gloss” attitude, and your amazing cooking. Ryan especially misses your green beans! Every year we take a family vacation near Diamond Lake, Oregon and sadly Mom won’t get to use her brand-new RV. In her honor, we will be spreading her ashes there and placing a memorial bench where she always loved to sit and watch her granddaughters play in the water. We will also arrange a celebration of life this summer. Anyone attending will be asked to bring a plant to place in a memorial flower garden that we are building for her granddaughters and bumblebees to enjoy for years to come.

We would be remiss if we didn’t thank some remarkable people for their love, care, and kindness through these indescribable times. Thank you to Simeon McLean, Jennifer Wilson, Jerry Murphy, Deb Tompkins, Becky McCanless, Dr. Abels, and the Hospice care team. We especially wish to thank Jamie Bermers, Cody Ferreira, Jerri Moulton, Jeff Wilson, Steve Finch, Aunty Marta Martinez, and Dr. Mark and Rebecca Pardoe. You have all held our hands and our hearts through these times, and we could never express how much we love and appreciate each of you.

P.S…and Mom, don’t fret. I will always make sure that Dad’s boats fit in the lake. Love you more!

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The obituary above was submitted by Carol Brewer’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.