Carolyn Crain

CRAIN, Carolyn Long-time City Librarian in San Marino, passed away peacefully at her home in Arcadia on May 8, 2008, after a heroic 20-year battle with breast cancer. She will be missed by her husband, Alan Pierpoint; her daughter, Branwyn Pierpoint; her mother, Mary Crain; sisters, Marlene Cristal and Colleen Crain and their husbands, Ed and Jim; brothers, William Crain and Robert Crain and wife, Lilu; nieces, Jennifer, Renee, Holly, and April; a large extended family and many life-long friends. Born on May 4, 1950, Carolyn graduated from Granada Hills HS in 1968. She earned her BA in history from CSUN and her MA in Library Science from the University of Denver. There followed a 34-year career in library service. Carolyn's dedication, hard work, and management skills earned her many promotions. The highlight of her career was her involvement in the planning, construction, and dedication of a new public library in San Marino. She devoted the last two years of her professional life to this project, and when the new library opened to the public on January 26, 2008, she left the hospital against medical advice to speak at the grand opening ceremony, receiving three standing ovations from an appreciative community. Carolyn had many interests. She and Alan rode regularly with the Foothill Cycle Club and took many bicycle vacations to Europe, Canada, and the western United States. She enjoyed a wide range of music, from Celtic folk to classic rock; she and Alan were regulars at the Pasadena Symphony. They also found time to visit museums and art galleries during weekends and vacations. Carolyn served as president of the YWCA in Redlands and was active in the Rotary club in San Marino. Nearly every week during her tenure as City Librarian, Carolyn attended evening meetings of the City Council, Board of Trustees, and other support groups to advocate the interests of the library and of the profession to which she gave so much. Of course she loved to read, especially non-fiction, biography, history and science. She and a few reader friends recently formed the "No Stress Book Group" to broaden their reading horizons. Carolyn maintained many long-term friendships with women she had met at every stage of her life. Her daughter was a special star, bringing beauty, joy, ideas, and an ironic sense of humor into Carolyn's life and providing loving, hands-on care at the end. A Celebration of Life service will take place on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 11 a.m., at the San Marino Public Library. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to National Museum for Women in the Arts, National Parks Conservation Association and L.A. Times Summer Camp Fund.