Carola Blubaugh

1936 - 2025

Carola passed on September 30, 2025 at the age of 88 after a long illness. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Ronald E. Blubaugh, her three children Mark Blubaugh, Carolyn Hagler, and Christine Mersten, her five grandchildren, Cynthia Fayette, Jessica Jobanputra, Josh Hagler, Raymond Hagler, and Aaron Hagler, and her sister Janice Mach. She was preceded by her beloved father Vincent Charles, mother Elizabeth, and brother Bill.

Carola was a true Chicagoan, where she was born and raised, graduated with her Bachelors from Loyola University, and met her husband Ron while they both worked for the Chicago Sun Times. As Ron recalls, Carola was "out of my league," but he finally wore her down, wooing her with concerts at the Chicago Symphony and Pizzeria Due.

After a stint in North Carolina during Ron's military service, in 1964 Carola and Ron moved to Roseville before settling in Sacramento in 1966 where they raised their three children. While most women of her generation stayed at home, Carola pursued her Masters in Music from the California State University Sacramento and obtained her teaching credential. Carola found her dream job teaching Music Theory for the Sacramento Community College system before Proposition 13 cuts ended that. In true fashion, Carola bounced back and started teaching her second love, American History, as an Advanced Placement teacher for both Bishop Manogue and St. Francis High Schools. One of her greatest achievements during her years teaching high school was serving as the faculty advisor to the Bishop Manogue Mock Trial team which placed twice, once in first place.

As an empty nester, she turned her attention to helping those less advantaged than herself, serving on the dining room line at Loaves and Fishes and rehabilitating its garden so it could grow fresh produce to be used on site. Carola also dedicated countless hours to the Sacramento History Museum, blending her love of history and music to create an exhibition entitled "They Came Singing" documenting the music and songs of those who came West. In gratitude, the History Museum honored her with an award. When she wasn't volunteering or traveling the world with Ron, she was working on their Sea Ranch home, and trying her hand at native plant gardening.

Carola was a coupon cutter extraordinaire, garage sale aficionado, inspirational educator, dedicated volunteer, accomplished pianist, talented seamstress, and friend to every Japanese Maple that ever lived. Her beautiful smile will be forever missed.