Carolyn LiCalsi

1960 - 2023

Carolyn LiCalsi

September 13, 2023

Fresno, California - Carolyn Eileen LiCalsi was born March 13, 1960, to Ernie and Roberta LiCalsi in Fresno, California. Carolyn attended Fresno schools and graduated from Fresno High School in 1978. In 1981, Carolyn graduated from Fresno City College with a degree in English. In 1991, Carolyn graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a degree in Criminology.

Upon graduation, Carolyn worked as a correctional officer at the Madera County Department of Corrections, where she had previously completed her internship. On February 1, 1992, at the very moment her brother Ernie was being sworn in as Madera County's District Attorney just down the hall, Carolyn was sworn in as a Madera County Probation Officer.

As a Probation Officer, Carolyn worked in various assignments. But perhaps because of her English major background, the assignment that she truly excelled was in the Investigations Unit. According to her brother, "she was one of the best probation report writers I have ever known."

Carolyn had many interests, including martial arts, art, reading, attending renaissance faires and various fan conventions, writing fan fiction, travelling, music and archeology. Through her many interests, Carolyn gained many friends from all over the world. She enjoyed sharing her love of renaissance faires with her niece Kaleigh and nephew Antonio. She enjoyed sharing her love of traveling with her nephew Joey on one occasion and on another, her friend, Kris Butler.

In 2008, Carolyn went back to school to study archeology, obtaining a Certificate in Anthropology-Archeology/Archeological Technician from Fresno City College in December of 2009. She even travelled to participate in archeological digs. She always enjoyed learning about ancient civilizations.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her brother, David LiCalsi, her father Ernie LiCalsi and her mother, Roberta LiCalsi.

Carolyn is survived by her brother, Ernie LiCalsi, Jr., her sister Kathleen Licalsi, her nephew Eric LiCalsi (Yvonne) and their children, Luca and Luna, her nephew Joey LiCalsi (Eric), her niece Kaleigh Garza, her nephew and godson Antonio Garza (he called her "Nina") and her beloved dog Flynn. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Susie LiCalsi and brother-in-law, Tony Garza. She considered them more as siblings than in-laws. Additionally, Carolyn is survived by her Uncle Robert Lowder, Aunt Marcia Lowder, Aunt Evie Handcock and many cousins and friends.

As mentioned, Carolyn had many friends. While she still maintained the friendships from her youth, she developed new friendships all over the world because of her many travels and interests. She even had friends whom she had never met in person but with whom she kept in close contact through the internet.

The family would like to personally thank Dr. Carlen Yuen for being more than just an amazing oncologist to Carolyn. Dr. Yuen not only made herself available to Carolyn but to her family as well. They would like to thank all of the Doctors and staff at the Community Cancer Institute that took care of her and the staff at Heritage Crossing for their compassion during her final days. The family would also like to thank Carloyn's many friends and family, especially her cousin Rob Lowder and her friends April Byrum and Kris Butler, for help keeping vigil with them during Carolyn's last days.

Carolyn passed away on September 13, 2023 surrounded by friends and family after a hard fought battle against glioblastoma.

A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at the Clovis Funeral Chapel on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Glioblastoma Research Organization (gbmresearch.org), the American Cancer Society or the A.S.P.C.A.