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Caroline Caldwell Memoriam
Caroline Frances Caldwell
August 14, 1946 - May 13, 2021
Caroline Frances Caldwell was born August 14, 1946, in San Pedro, California, to Frances Rush Caldwell and Billy Joyce Caldwell. Caroline was the youngest of their three children. She attended La Crescenta High School and UC Santa Barbara, where she majored in Physical Therapy. She married Michael Jacob Hitchman in June 1968 and moved to Boulder Creek. They raised two children, daughter Michelle and son Todd. Caroline later moved to Scotts Valley to take care of her aging parents.
Her calling was in the field of library science; Caroline's father, grandparents and other relatives were librarians. Throughout the years, she worked in several libraries in the Santa Cruz library system, but her favorite was Scotts Valley. She felt most at home in the Scotts Valley community; library patrons and other Scotts Valley residents still relate how much they enjoyed knowing her.
Caroline loved stargazing, shopping, music, dance, and the arts. She also loved animals, books, the art of Thomas Kinkade, Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott of the 49ers, and the Kennedy family history. She was a lighthearted person with a good sense of humor who loved old jokes. She had an excellent memory and enjoyed reminiscing. She thrived on her library work and relished personal connections with patrons of all ages. She was an excellent listener and a patient teacher. Caroline was optimistic, appreciative, and always thinking of other people. If you had asked her, she would have said that she valued family and faith.
Caroline is survived by her daughter Michelle Watts (husband Mitch Watts), son Todd Hitchman (wife Genelle Hitchman), grandsons Will Hitchman and Nick Hitchman, brother Lawrence Caldwell (partner Lin Maurer), sister Joyce Surdam (husband Ronald Surdam), and partner Michael Ripley. Nieces and nephews include Stacie Caldwell, Laurie Lallemand, Jonathan Surdam, Daniel Surdam and Mary-Katherine Surdam.
Services will be private. If you wish to contribute to a charity in remembrance of Caroline, please consider donating to an animal welfare group or to a public library of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Caroline Caldwell
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
3 Entries
Karen Rebal Troilo
April 28, 2022
It saddens my heart to hear of Caroline's passing. We were classmates in high school and I have many fond memories of our time together. I saw her a couple of years ago at a class reunion and it was like we had remained friends throughout the years when we really hadn't talked since high school. My condolences to her family. RIP Caroline and thank you for the wonderful memories.
Ollie Ziff
April 27, 2022
All condolences to your family. I am a librarian at Santa Cruz Public. When I started working at the library a few years ago, Caroline was very helpful in getting me going, answering questions, being friendly. I will miss her friendly demeanor. My thoughts are with her family.
Tory Evans
April 24, 2022
Todd I´m so sorry to read of the passing of your beautiful kind mother. She will always be remembered by my family as a warm hearted soul who loved her children and grandchildren. She always wanted to do a kindness to others. I´ll miss her and keep her in my heart. Thinking of U and your sister and knowing how much you loved her as well.
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