Carolyn Willis Vena

January 10, 1939 - August 3, 2025 Loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, partner, and loyal friend to so many, Carolyn died peacefully in Hammond, Oregon within mere feet of the vast Columbia River.

Daughter of Paul Henning Willis and Elizabeth Sullivan Willis, she was born in Chicago and raised in California. She attended Smith College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UCLA, and remained a proud Bruin for life. Multi-talented, her career was varied and culminated as a professional decorative painter. She created beauty wherever she went, with her homes filled with color, radiance, and endless imagination. She was a master calligrapher and illustrator, volunteering her skills to many charitable endeavors.

In midlife, she escaped what she called, "the glitz, traffic, and high-profile life" of Los Angeles to settle in both Oregon and Denman island, British Columbia, her "two inspirational places." Never idle, she was on the board for the Astoria Music Festival and a participant in Indivisible, creating knock-out protest signs.

Her loss is felt so deeply by her daughters, Gabrielle Vena and Ari Vena, her beloved grandsons, Henry and Lucius, sister, Patti Willis (Doug Olstead), brother Paul Willis (Judy Willis), nieces, Malana, Alani, Lily, Beatrice, Madeleine, Gretel, and nephew Gus, and the many dear friends made, kept, and loved, dating back to childhood. Those diverse friendships knew no bounds nor barriers – from clerks at Fred Meyer to US Congressional Representatives.

As was her wish, Carolyn will rest at the Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery among firs, cedars, alders and elderberries.

Donations in Carolyn's memory to UCLA UniCamp (www.unicamp.org/donate/) or Denman Conservancy Association (denmanconservancytreasurer@gmail.com)