1941
2018
Carol Earlene Furness passed away on Dec. 27, 2018, at the age of 77 in Fresno, California, after a long battle against multiple cancers.
Carol was born Carol Earlene Mason on July 12, 1941, in the old Fort Bragg Hospital, more recently known as the Grey Whale Inn, to loving parents Bertha and Earl Mason. Her early childhood was spent on the small Mason family ranch between Little River and Albion until her family moved to Mendocino in 1948. From then until her graduation from Mendocino High School in 1959, Carol lived with her family in the historic Blair House in Mendocino, later made famous as Angela Lansbury's "home" in the TV series "Murder She Wrote." A straight-A student, Carol was Valedictorian of her class, a CSF member, the school's representative to Girls State, and played flute in the school band. An accomplished pianist, Carol played piano in a dance band and was the pianist and organist for the Presbyterian Church in Mendocino. She also served as a Junior Leader for the local 4-H club.
Carol attended UC Davis for a year before returning to the Mendocino Coast to marry John Schlote of Fort Bragg. She continued her education, with Carol and her husband being the first two graduates of College of the Redwoods, Mendocino Coast Campus in 1970. She graduated from Humboldt State in 1972 and the family moved to Weaverville, California, where Carol became a social Worker for the County of Trinity. The family later moved to Fresno, where she received a master's degree from Fresno State in 1982 and became a social worker for the County of Madera. After an early retirement, Carol entered the antique and vintage postcard business.
Carol will be remembered for her soft, gentle manner, her thoughtfulness, her willingness to help where ever needed, her vast knowledge and extreme intellect, her impact on so many people during her years as a social worker, and for being a "best friend". She will be missed, but she will be remembered. Although no formal memorial service is planned, a celebration of Carol's life will be held with relatives and close friends in the Mendocino/Fort Bragg area later this year.
The family thanks all of Carol's friends who called, wrote and visited her during her last month or so on this earth. Special thanks also to Optimal Hospice of Fresno and the wonderful caregivers who made her comfortable right up to the end.
Carol is survived by her brother, Glenn Mason of Portland, Oregon; her two sons, John Schlote Jr. of Antioch, California and Scott Schlote of Fresno; and former husbands, John Schlote of Fresno and Paul Furness of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She now joins her beloved parents, grandparents and special friends who predeceased her.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
God is good and merciful, he keep those who pass on in his memory because they are precious to him. Psalms 116:15.
Annie
March 3, 2019
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Annie Horne
February 20, 2019
May you find comfort in knowing your loved one is resting safely in God's limitless memory. Psa. 147:4
carolyn
February 13, 2019
Carol was such a joy to know! Our family moved to Fresno in early 2016. We had no additional family near by and several young children in our immediate family. Carol and Scott made us feel welcome and supported in our community right away. Carol's gentle nature and wisdom were always a source of comfort to us. She was truly a blessing in our life's during the short amount of time we were lucky enough to know her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.The Doss family.
Dorian and Kimberly Doss
January 29, 2019
To Carol's Family,
Any time that we lose loved one this is certainly a difficult time. May the precious memories you shared together, help you cope and bring you peace. May the scripture found at 1 Thes. 4:14 bring you some comfort knowing that there is a future for the ones we have lost in death can be reassuring. May the God of peace be with you and your family during this time.
JB
January 23, 2019
Without a word or false gesture, you were there when it mattered so much ... sitting with me at my Mother's hospice bed. I hope I thanked you for what that meant to me. I know your life was full of these acts of selfless kindnesses. You will be missed.
Judith Mason
January 18, 2019
I am so sad today to receive the news that Carol has died. I remember many nice walks we took together when we lived in Weaverville. We connected again when we both lived in Colusa. More recently we have kept in touch through email. I will miss you Carol. Blessings to your Sons.Judy Anderson
Judy Anderson
January 18, 2019
Carol and I drove together to 2-3 California Postcard Shows a few years ago. The hours driving passed quickly as she regaled me with many stories of her experiences as a social worker. She humanized the often negative attitudes toward welfare recipients.
Mike Fairley
January 17, 2019
That photo of her on the fence at our Mendocino home is one of my favorites of Carol. And, of course, her scowl was directed at me, her pesky little brother, who was giving her a bad time. A photographer from S.F. drove by, saw us, and stopped to take our picture, later sending copies to us. Lots of good memories - many of which we shared together the last several weeks of her life. I love you, big Sister! Are you beating Grandma Mason in Canasta yet? Or Grandpa Reep in Rook?
January 17, 2019
Please accept my deep expressions of sympathy. May the loving memories you've shared continue to warm your heart. Psalms 116:15
January 17, 2019
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