I was attending a belated birthday lunch for Didra Paulus Kirschner on October 28, 2015, along with Caddy Durkin Harper and Margot Plant, when I received notice via the Mt. Lebanon 61 website email system that Carla had died. There was a sense of disbelief about the news. For myself, it's difficult to recall any time around Carla when she was not laughing about something, or flashing a broad smile. I know her adult life had not been easy, but I will remember her as she was at our reunion, cheerful and smiling, and always young at heart.
How shocked and saddened I was to receive this news. I could fill a book with Carla stories! The boy I was madly in love with, as only teenagers can be, went to South Catholic, and he and Fred Mueller, who was then dating Sue Norseen, were best friends. Carla and her current beau often joined our tight-knit circle, and for some reason, we often ended our dates in the Mueller basement. To this very day, I can hear Mrs. Mueller repeatedly telling us in an in increasingly angry tone of. voice to turn on the lights - ALL THE LIGHTS, AND I MEAN BUSINESS THIS TIME.
When I began my years as a newbie at Mount Lebanon High School, I was overwhelmed, having come from a relatively tiny school. I was shy and terrified of the cheerleaders. Just the sight of those white skirts and sweaters caused me to panic, despite my attempts to fit in. After all, I sent my mother to five shoe stores to get the requisite official Spaulding saddle shoes. Nothing else would do. But I sure coveted the cheerleader uniform!
When I spent time with Carla and Sue during our respective dating years, I had finally become comfortable at school and had wonderful friends. Still a little wary, I was stunned when they atually called me by name! Sitting in Carla's basement, drinking Orange Crush, I wondered why I had been so intimidated by these two very nice girls. We actually became frends!
After graduation, I lost touch with Sue and Carla, but at our reunion, Carla was one of the first people I saw. A tiny creature came running my way, and she was umistakably Carla. We talked for an hour about her kids and her life. What fun we had reminiscing, and all our stories ended in her basement!
Carla left an indelible mark on the Class of 61. I know she had a tough life, but I choose to remember the tiny girl with the big smile. Despite rarely seeing her, I will miss her. Godspeed, Carla.
I've added a photo of Carla taken at our 50th Reunion dinner to her profile page. I think this particular picture captures her spirit, and is a great way to remember our friend.
Thank you so much for posting the photo. I wish I had made it to the reunion. It is a spectacular photo of all of you! I remember Carla well...and always thought she was one special person.
What a DELIGHTFUL PROFILE PHOTO of Carla! That beautiful Carla -SMILE...says it all! She lived life to the fullest!! ...while making a difference ....for the better..in the lives of her friends and loved ones!
Like everyone else, I brace myself whenever an "In Memory Comment" pops up in the email. Carla and I go way, way back in the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club as children, and I don't think she changed from then to the last time I spoke to her a few months ago. It's the little things we remember like doing the jitterbug at the "Rec" or dancing with Carla at the Women's Club in the Genevieve Jones dancing classes where she didn't let anyone cut in on us.
I knew Carla moved from Port Ludlow, WA to Texas where she called me saying she was moving to Michigan, and it was nice knowing me. She was barely understandable, but her message was clear. Carla knew she didn't have much time. Had I known Carla moved back to Port Ludlow, I would been there and helped in any way I could, as that is five hours or so from Portland. I loved her that much.
Those who posted comments described her accurately. I'll always remember Carla as spontaniously loving and giving despite having more than her share of bumps and bruises along the way. To my '61 classmates, please take care of yourselves, and I'd love to see you all again.
Thank you Stoddart Smith for that touching and meaningful comment. Carla was a high school friend whom I loved a long time ago. But I send you condolences for your loss of a very close friend now. Nancy Shields
Mary Jane Edwards
I was attending a belated birthday lunch for Didra Paulus Kirschner on October 28, 2015, along with Caddy Durkin Harper and Margot Plant, when I received notice via the Mt. Lebanon 61 website email system that Carla had died. There was a sense of disbelief about the news. For myself, it's difficult to recall any time around Carla when she was not laughing about something, or flashing a broad smile. I know her adult life had not been easy, but I will remember her as she was at our reunion, cheerful and smiling, and always young at heart.
Susan Swager (Becraft)
How shocked and saddened I was to receive this news. I could fill a book with Carla stories! The boy I was madly in love with, as only teenagers can be, went to South Catholic, and he and Fred Mueller, who was then dating Sue Norseen, were best friends. Carla and her current beau often joined our tight-knit circle, and for some reason, we often ended our dates in the Mueller basement. To this very day, I can hear Mrs. Mueller repeatedly telling us in an in increasingly angry tone of. voice to turn on the lights - ALL THE LIGHTS, AND I MEAN BUSINESS THIS TIME.
When I began my years as a newbie at Mount Lebanon High School, I was overwhelmed, having come from a relatively tiny school. I was shy and terrified of the cheerleaders. Just the sight of those white skirts and sweaters caused me to panic, despite my attempts to fit in. After all, I sent my mother to five shoe stores to get the requisite official Spaulding saddle shoes. Nothing else would do. But I sure coveted the cheerleader uniform!
When I spent time with Carla and Sue during our respective dating years, I had finally become comfortable at school and had wonderful friends. Still a little wary, I was stunned when they atually called me by name! Sitting in Carla's basement, drinking Orange Crush, I wondered why I had been so intimidated by these two very nice girls. We actually became frends!
After graduation, I lost touch with Sue and Carla, but at our reunion, Carla was one of the first people I saw. A tiny creature came running my way, and she was umistakably Carla. We talked for an hour about her kids and her life. What fun we had reminiscing, and all our stories ended in her basement!
Carla left an indelible mark on the Class of 61. I know she had a tough life, but I choose to remember the tiny girl with the big smile. Despite rarely seeing her, I will miss her. Godspeed, Carla.
With love,
Susie Swager Becraft
Mary Jane Edwards
I've added a photo of Carla taken at our 50th Reunion dinner to her profile page. I think this particular picture captures her spirit, and is a great way to remember our friend.
Jeanne Benson
Thank you so much for posting the photo. I wish I had made it to the reunion. It is a spectacular photo of all of you! I remember Carla well...and always thought she was one special person.
Judy Hall (Falls)
What a DELIGHTFUL PROFILE PHOTO of Carla! That beautiful Carla -SMILE...says it all! She lived life to the fullest!! ...while making a difference ....for the better..in the lives of her friends and loved ones!
glad you shared that with us MJ!
It was touching and endearing to see!!
Judy Hall Falls
Stoddart Smith
Like everyone else, I brace myself whenever an "In Memory Comment" pops up in the email. Carla and I go way, way back in the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club as children, and I don't think she changed from then to the last time I spoke to her a few months ago. It's the little things we remember like doing the jitterbug at the "Rec" or dancing with Carla at the Women's Club in the Genevieve Jones dancing classes where she didn't let anyone cut in on us.
I knew Carla moved from Port Ludlow, WA to Texas where she called me saying she was moving to Michigan, and it was nice knowing me. She was barely understandable, but her message was clear. Carla knew she didn't have much time. Had I known Carla moved back to Port Ludlow, I would been there and helped in any way I could, as that is five hours or so from Portland. I loved her that much.
Those who posted comments described her accurately. I'll always remember Carla as spontaniously loving and giving despite having more than her share of bumps and bruises along the way. To my '61 classmates, please take care of yourselves, and I'd love to see you all again.
Stoddart Smith
Nancy Brunk (Shields)
Thank you Stoddart Smith for that touching and meaningful comment. Carla was a high school friend whom I loved a long time ago. But I send you condolences for your loss of a very close friend now. Nancy Shields