Our dearest Carolyn is safely home forever. We grieve, though not as those who have no hope, knowing that, for her, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Carolyn was born on September 25, 1919 in Oakland, California to her loving parents Myron Simeon Babasinian and Bertha Donchian Babasinian. She shared an idyllic childhood with her sisters Helen and Milly in their lovely home on Perry Street. She excelled at the piano and was an exceptional student, graduating from Oakland High School at the top of her class and, while active in campus life, completing three major subjects during her four years at UC Berkeley.
Following graduation in 1941, Carolyn began work in San Francisco at the headquarters of the 4th Bomber Command. After eluding numerous suitors, she was re-introduced to a young company commander recently returned from the South Pacific theater of operations. After a brief courtship, Ernest and Carolyn were married on June 17, 1944 in one of Oakland's largest wartime weddings.
Following Ernest's discharge from the Army in 1946, Ernest and Carolyn built their first house in Brentwood. Jeffrey was born in 1948 and Claire in 1951. While Ernest developed his business, Carolyn created a home like the one in which she had grown up. School, church, scouts, travel, and family visits filled their busy lives. Moving to Santa Barbara in 1964 and into their new house in Hope Ranch in 1966, Ernest and Carolyn enjoyed a blessed life together as their children pursued their educations and careers.
Carolyn involved herself in many ways in the life of Santa Barbara, particularly in the area of music. She enjoyed her leadership roles at the Community Arts Music Association and at the Music Academy. She loved her garden and spent many happy hours there.
Carolyn's sweetness belied a highly-developed intuitive sense. She was generously disposed toward others and always self-effacing despite her evident confidence and intelligence, declining always to use her positions of visibility to direct attention to herself. Her family was precious to her, and her love was oft and openly expressed.
Carolyn knew that life is short and did not fear death. Her trust in the Lord underlay everything that she said and did. She displayed the utmost courage and equanimity as she endured the illness that would eventually take her life. She finished her course on March 7, 2011 and awaits the crown of righteousness which the Lord has laid up for His own.
A service of thanksgiving for Carolyn's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at El Camino Presbyterian Church, located at 7526 Calle Real in Goleta. Inquiries regarding the service may be directed to the church at (805) 968-0113.
