Karin Carlson Meiselman

November 29, 1941 - September 26, 2025 Karin was born in Jamestown NY on November 29th of 1941, which that year was 9 days or 2 days after Thanksgiving, depending on the state in which one lived, but in either event a mere 8 days before Pearl Harbor.
As a Carlson, she grew up with the Swedish-American community of Jamestown and picked up many of their traits. She was reserved without being taciturn, direct without being harsh. Her petite stature and stoic countenance belied a fiery determination, strong work ethic, and unwavering loyalty to those she held dear.
In February 1960, in junior college, she met the love of her life, Herbert Joel Meiselman, another Jamestown native. They grew up differently (see his obit, which Karin penned beautifully) but shared a common desire to go out in the world, pursue education and career goals, have a family, and enjoy all life had to offer, with no shortage of great food, wine, and beer with friends.
After being wed in 1963, they lived in Boston while Herb finished his PhD at MIT, with Karin's supporting income as a copy editor. (To the chagrin of this writer, her daughter, Karin did not have the opportunity to edit this obit.) They moved to Altadena in 1966 so Herb could pursue a post doc fellowship at Cal Tech, and Karin worked towards her own career, attaining a PhD in psychology from UCLA in 1972. She did clinical research at the VA, and then taught at Pitzer college for several years in the late 1970s, eventually opening up a private practice in clinical psychology in Pasadena. During this time, she also wrote the first of her two books and had her two children. No small feat.
Herb and Karin raised their kids in Altadena, creating a loving and comforting home where housework and childrearing were shared equally, laughter was common (usually resulting from Herb), and a family meal was had every night, either at home or in a restaurant, without TV or other distractions.
International travel frequently punctuated Karin and Herb's life together, at first mostly for Herb's conferences, but then, especially after retirement, for the sheer passport-filling and gastronomical fun of it.
They had friends throughout the world and were beloved by many in the Altadena/Pasadena area. They're remembered as a duo, almost always together, he the social witty jokester, and she the wise, calming hand, with a memory like a steel trap. They were contributors and volunteers for many worthy causes and were active in the Pasadena Jewish Temple.
Karin is survived by her children Sharon (Brad Kraus) and Ben (Sharona Partiyeli), younger sister Margery (Bill) Quackenbush, grandchildren Isaac and Ilana Meiselman and Theodore Kraus.
A month after the Eaton fire, Herb passed away, 65 years after their first date.
Years ago, they specified what will be inscribed on their headstone:
OUR LOVE LASTED