Obituary of Carol L. Bradford

Carol Lula Eastlick was born May 31st (1935) to Lester and Ruth Eastlick in Longview, Washington. She had 3 brothers Dale, Dan and Bill. Dale remembers her as learning to talk and sing at the same time. As a very little girl she would play the piano and sing with her grandmother and would frequently be asked to sing at small gatherings. Two of her favorites were “You Are My Sunshine” and “Heavenly Sunshine.” She played the French Horn in the school band and graduated with the R.A. Long High School class of 1953. November of 1952 she married Donald Bradford. Over the next 8 years they had 4 children, Donald Ray Bradford, Nancy Patricia Bishop, Randall Lee Bradford and Laura Dawn Ray.In 1961 Carol and Dawn bought property at Carlyon Beach on end of Steamboat Island Road and a few years later they built a summer cabin. Each summer brought many carefree days spent swimming, boating, collecting clams and oysters and enjoying time with family and friends. Her interest and appreciation of music took her to Lower Columbia College where she studied music and philosophy. From there she became involved in the community church choir, eventually singing solo selections of the Messiah for the Christmas Season. Carol taught piano for over 30 years and thoroughly enjoyed her students and her involvement with the Music Teachers Association. She continued her studies at The Evergreen State College, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in 1978. Carol had a strong sense of community and touched many lives while working in the family business, Monticello Stationers. She also played the piano and sang at many weddings. In 1992 Carol and Don built a house near their summer cabin and moved to Olympia. She became involved in the community theatre and delight in small roles in several Gilbert and Sullivan plays. Carol was a member of the Longview P.E.O. as well as the Olympia branch. She was creative and enjoyed art, ceramics and knitting classes whenever they were available. The porcelain figures she crafted were exquisite. She carefully attended pouring the molds, firing, painting and sometimes sewing clothes for them. She also loved to read and always had several books going at once. Carol and Don traveled to New Zealand, Thailand, and Mexico, each of which she found fascinating. They also visited family in Alaska, Minnesota, and other parts of the U.S. They had fun! Carol or “Grandma Honey” was a big part of the lives of her 14 grandchildren. She loved nothing more than spending time with them and seeing where their lives took them. She also had 10 great grandchildren whose coming and going helped ease the discomfort of her illness in the last couple of years. She was also very close to her nieces and nephews. Carol was inspiring, fun, generous, kind and loving. We are all grateful that she was a part of our lives. To leave online memories and condolences, click on "View Guestbook" below: