Caroline Grace St. John Close

1925 - 2009

Caroline Grace St John Close passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on January 29, 2009 from a sudden stroke. Born in Boonville, CA October 18, 1925, the daughter of Harold and Dollie St John, Caroline grew up in many beautiful places throughout California as her father worked for the California Division of Highways. She graduated from high school in Exeter, CA and began college at San Jose State. Her education was interrupted when she met and married Dean Close in 1944, and later by the births and parenting of three daughters. She was finally able to finish her BA and teaching degrees at Fresno State in 1963. She later returned to earn an MA in English. Caroline lived her vocation as a teacher for 47 years. She spent a year teaching migrant worker's children at Camp McCollum in the Salinas Valley in 1948. She taught high school English in Modoc County, Arvin and finally Foothill High in Bakersfield for 35 years. She inspired and cajoled three generations of students to think and write clearly. She taught the joy of the written word to advanced placement and struggling students alike. She was a pioneer in bringing English as a Second Language and Minority Literature to Kern County. After retiring from the Kern High School District, she taught English as a Second Language at Bakersfield College for ten more years and tutored elementary students until 2007. She never met a student whose promise she could not see. Caroline loved to travel, was an avid gardener and birder and delighted in anything to do with the natural world. As she had done with her own children, she mentored eight grandchildren in the delights of books, nature and service to others. She remained active in politics, her church, and busy with family and friends until her death. She is survived by her daughters, Catherine Close and husband, Nathan Kaufman, Christine Noguera and husband, Roger Noguera, and Caroline Close and husband, Douglas Cheshire and by eight grandchildren: Caroline, Scarlett, Blake, Laura, Miriam, Roger Elon, Elizabeth and Christopher as well as two great-grandchildren: Clara and Ryan. Friends and family will miss her and treasure her memory. Services will be held at Wesley Methodist Church on Saturday, February 7, at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing at Greenlawn Mortuary (3700 River Blvd.) Friday, February 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Caroline's favorite charity, Heifer International, www.heifer.org are suggested. Caroline Grace St John Close 1925 - 2009 Greenlawn Mortuary