Carolyn Elizabeth Rabun
July 26, 1934 - January 24, 2018
Carolyn Elizabeth Rabun of Berkeley California passed away on January 24, 2018 in the care of hospice at AlmaVia in San Rafael from complications due to Parkinson’s disease. Carolyn was born July 26, 1934 in San Jose, California, the daughter of Martha and Arnold Johnson. She attended UC Berkeley and married Floyd Rabun in 1954.
Carolyn was a stay at home mother of four children, and she volunteered her time to causes that were important to her. This included leading Boy Scouts and Brownies, volunteering at schools, assisting Vietnamese refugees, collecting signatures for the ERA Amendment and organizing a blood bank. Carolyn was a feminist, and she possessed a soft and steady strength that she used to support those around her.
Carolyn moved 28 times in her adult life due to Floyd’s naval career. In 1977 she moved her family back to the city she loved, Berkeley, and she happily remained in the same home for 38 years. In the 1980s Carolyn became the co-owner of Ms. McPhyzz, a miniature dollhouse store on Solano Avenue, and she enjoyed working with her dear partner and all of their regular customers. She was also in a Dream Group for decades with “The Marys”; the group started out discussing their dreams and insights and evolved into lifelong friendships.
Carolyn was an accomplished self-taught cook and gardener. She graciously hosted countless celebrations and holiday feasts for family and friends; everyone was always welcome at her table. Carolyn was a voracious reader, and she delighted in the opera, quilting, tennis and Masterpiece Theater.
Carolyn is survived by her son F. Kelley Jr., her daughter, Melissa, sisters Judith and Susan and niece Gwyneth. Floyd predeceased Carolyn in 2007. Carolyn was also predeceased by her eldest child, Jennifer in 1976, and her second child, Sandra in 1983. Despite the tragic and sudden losses of her daughters and the hardships she faced in her life, Carolyn continued to move forward. She faced each new day with an open attitude and sought out the beauty in life.
Carolyn was witty and endeavored to make the mundane fun. She was thoughtful, and she had the ability to see into your soul and notice your finest qualities. Carolyn was a very loving, compassionate, hardworking and giving daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and neighbor. If you knew Carolyn, you felt her remarkable love.
The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for her during her last few years, especially Amber. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation: http:// parkinson.org.
A celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held on March 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Julia Morgan Hall at the UCBerkeley Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley. Carolyn’s favorite color was blue, and guests are invited to wear blue to the celebration.