Carolynn Alice Sias' Obituary
Carolynn Alice Sias
December 1, 1936 – June 30, 2023
Long time resident of Bend, Oregon and fourth generation California native Carolynn Sias passed away June 30th at the age of 86 at her home in Bend. Carolynn was born Dec. 1, 1936 in Sacramento, California. She spent most of her early life in Hayward and Castro Valley. She attended Hayward High School and Laney College becoming a Dental Assistant. In 1958 she married and in 1964 moved to Walnut Creek, CA where she enjoyed her most challenging role as a stay at home mom raising three children. In 1991, she retired to Bend, where she delighted in hosting family and friends from around the world to share the splendors of Central Oregon.
Carolynn loved travel, flowers, and crafts (sewing, knitting, quilting, and crocheting) winning several blue ribbons at the Deschutes County fair. Many a graduation, birthday or newborn was celebrated with the gift of a hand knitted afghan. She also loved spending time outdoors either in her garden or her favorite family camping spot at Union Creek in Southern Oregon. You could count on finding Carolynn in her garden weeding and planting bulbs and colorful flowers proudly nurturing a beautiful yard. She had an affinity for not just travel but travel by train, taking trips across Canada and the US several times by rail. She also enjoyed England; she made numerous trips to visit after developing a 45 year friendship with a British neighbor working for a year in the US. Finally, she was a voracious card and note writer; she may receive a call but she usually responded back with a note and remembered you with a card at all holidays and your birthday.
Carolynn is survived by her husband of 65 years, James “Fred” Sias, her son Keith Sias, daughter Julie (David) Sweet and son Randy (Lisa) Sias; her grandsons Riley and Dawson Sweet; her sister-in-law Ann Welch and brother-in-law Bob Welch; nieces Linda Hughes and Carol Swafford as well as many cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents Palmer and Myrtle Lund.
She had a strong love for family, friends and God and we take comfort knowing we will see her again one day in the kingdom of heaven; she will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Services will be held July 14 at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, California; in lieu of flowers please send donations to Billy Graham Ministries or your local Public Broadcasting Station.
What’s your fondest memory of Carolynn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Carolynn?
Share a story where Carolynn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Carolynn you’ll never forget.
How did Carolynn make you smile?
