Jacqueline Gardner Carson

Carson, Jacqueline Gardner
Jacqueline Gardner Carson of Scottsdale, AZ, beloved wife of Fred Carson, passed peacefully September 22, 2009 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Jacqueline Gardner was born to Richard and Aileen Gardner in South Bend, IN, on September 21, 1921. She grew up in Indiana, California, and Florida with her brother Frank and sister Aileen. As a young woman, she attended the University of Miami and served as a volunteer Division Leader in the Women's Army Corp in World War II. Jackie married the love of her life Fred Barnhart Carson on October 11, 1949, and remained a devoted partner to Fred over 38 years until his death in 1987. The young couple lived in Danville, IL, where Fred was President and Owner of a mechanical contracting firm. In 1952 Fred & Jackie invested in AB"C" Ranch and built a beautiful home in Scottsdale where they eventually resided full time to raise their sons Gary and Brett. The always active couple kept busy playing golf, traveling, and entertaining a wide and fascinating group of friends and family. In 1969 Jackie took an art class from Dorothy Fratt that would inspire her to begin painting seriously. In 1974 she held her first exhibition in Phoenix. Encouraged by her peers and collectors, Jackie continued painting throughout her life. Her paintings were exhibited in New York City and purchased by collectors throughout the country. Jackie was an avid golfer who excelled at the sport as exemplified in her 1971 win as Ladies' Club Champion at Desert Forest Country Club. Jackie was known far and wide for her deep love of life, wonderful sense of humor, excellent cuisine and splendid parties. Jackie loved traveling, and was able to enjoy trips to China, Russia, Europe, and South America. In addition to her two sons Gary and Brett, one of her great joys in life was the birth of her grandson Michael who she spoiled and loved the last two decades of her life. As well as the desert, her favorite place on earth was the San Diego area, where she and her family spent their summers in La Jolla and then Coronado for the past forty years. This summer after being diagnosed with terminal lung disease, Jackie journeyed to her beloved Coronado to see her friends, the beautiful beach and the ocean one last time. Jackie is survived by her two sons, Gary Frederic Carson and his wife, Anne Cunningham Carson, grandson Michael Carson, Moraga, CA; and son, Brett Barnhart Carson, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts in memory be made to the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic-Office of Development, 13400 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259 - (480) 301-8326. Services are planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ.