Rowena May Crandell Carlson 1917 – 2018

Rowena May Crandell Carlson. – Courtesy photo

Rowena M. Carlson, 100 years 8 months, passed away February 25, 2018, at her home in La Habra, California, surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of Otto Fred Carlson. They shared a beautiful marriage together.

Rowena, known as ‘Cissy,’ was born in Monrovia, California, on June 11, 1917. She and her four brothers were born in the family home which their father built on Hill Street which still stands today.

“Cissy” was the daughter of John A. Crandell and Hazel R. Champion Crandell.

“Cissy” attended M.A.D. High School in Monrovia where she was a Song Leader. During WW2 she worked as a Nurse’s Aide at St Lukes Hospital in Pasadena, California.

In 1948 she went to work at Thornton-Carlson Candies in Pasadena. There she met her future husband Fred Carlson.  They were married in 1949 and moved to Arcadia, California, where Fred died in 1972. Along with her parents and husband she was predeceased by her four brothers: Roy, Fred, John and Leon. She is survived by her only child, Barby Carlson Hagaman Fairbank (Leigh), four grandchildren: Keith Hagaman (Dina), Jennifer Elders (Felton), Damon Hagaman (Arna) and Kimberly Stevenson; four great grandchildren: Rachel, Sierra, Brynn and Jack.

“Cissy” loved playing the piano and singing, a talent she inherited from her mother. Gardening, playing cards and working on puzzles filled her last days.

Special tribute from the family goes to her “ANGEL” Angie. Who took care of “Cissy” the last 15 years…God Bless Her!

Rowena “Cissy” Carlson will be laid to rest in the family plot at Live Oak Memorial Park in Monrovia, California. She will be missed dearly.

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