Carolyn was a graduate of San Leandro High School in 1977.
***
Carolyn Jean Searway, of Riverbank, fought a brave battle against Duodenal Cancer for the past 13 months. She received freedom from her pain on January 5th when she ended her 52 year journey on this earth and began her last journey home. Carolyn clearly expressed she had no fear of death, an outcome of her deep Christian faith.
A native of Berkeley, California, Carolyn was born to Edwin & Edith Peterson. Always a great student, she graduated from UC Berkeley in 1981 with high honors. Later that year she married another Cal alumnus, Ben Searway, and accompanied him to Duluth, Minnesota, and Simi Valley, California, where he served as a Covenant Youth Minister. Carolyn and Ben celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this past fall. Throughout her illness Ben was her pillar of strength.
In 1991 Carolyn and Ben moved to Riverbank, California, each beginning successful careers in education. Carolyn spent her years in public education as a teacher and instructional coach (which she called her "dream job") for the Riverbank Unified School District. She loved her students and her colleagues and kept in touch with many, often offering feedback to teachers who emailed her for advice or ideas during her months of illness. She most loved to hear stories about students, especially those who overcame great odds to achieve success. Carolyn also taught the children's program at the Bridge Covenant Church in Riverbank of which she was a founding member.
The times Carolyn cherished the most were those spent with family; she is survived by her three precious children, Michael, Robbie and Katie. She faithfully attended each child's school activities and sporting events celebrating two of her proudest moments when Michael received his Masters Degree in International Relations from George Washington University and Robbie graduated summa cum laude in English from CSU Stanislaus. Carolyn took special delight in watching Katie's ballet performances and was elated when Katie advanced to "point" this past summer in her training at PJ's dance studio. The hardest part of her illness was her realization she might miss so many things she wanted to do with her family.
In addition to her husband and children, Carolyn is survived by her two siblings and their spouses, Ron & Rose Ann Peterson; Susan and Rod Taylor, all of Riverbank. She was greatly loved by her 6 nephews, 2 nieces and her 6 great nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her husband's siblings, Robin, Brent (Allyson) and Carl Searway.
During Carolyn's illness, a website was established called prayforcarolyn.com where over 100 family members, friends and acquaintances pledged to pray at least one hour a week for her. In turn, Carolyn also scheduled time to pray for each one who was praying for her. This act was recently characterized as a perfect reflection of the love others were sharing with her being returned back to them.
A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at Modesto Covenant Church on Friday, January 13th, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a scholarship account on behalf of Carolyn.
Published in the Modesto Bee on January 10, 2012
***
Carolyn Jean Searway, of Riverbank, fought a brave battle against Duodenal Cancer for the past 13 months. She received freedom from her pain on January 5th when she ended her 52 year journey on this earth and began her last journey home. Carolyn clearly expressed she had no fear of death, an outcome of her deep Christian faith.
A native of Berkeley, California, Carolyn was born to Edwin & Edith Peterson. Always a great student, she graduated from UC Berkeley in 1981 with high honors. Later that year she married another Cal alumnus, Ben Searway, and accompanied him to Duluth, Minnesota, and Simi Valley, California, where he served as a Covenant Youth Minister. Carolyn and Ben celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this past fall. Throughout her illness Ben was her pillar of strength.
In 1991 Carolyn and Ben moved to Riverbank, California, each beginning successful careers in education. Carolyn spent her years in public education as a teacher and instructional coach (which she called her "dream job") for the Riverbank Unified School District. She loved her students and her colleagues and kept in touch with many, often offering feedback to teachers who emailed her for advice or ideas during her months of illness. She most loved to hear stories about students, especially those who overcame great odds to achieve success. Carolyn also taught the children's program at the Bridge Covenant Church in Riverbank of which she was a founding member.
The times Carolyn cherished the most were those spent with family; she is survived by her three precious children, Michael, Robbie and Katie. She faithfully attended each child's school activities and sporting events celebrating two of her proudest moments when Michael received his Masters Degree in International Relations from George Washington University and Robbie graduated summa cum laude in English from CSU Stanislaus. Carolyn took special delight in watching Katie's ballet performances and was elated when Katie advanced to "point" this past summer in her training at PJ's dance studio. The hardest part of her illness was her realization she might miss so many things she wanted to do with her family.
In addition to her husband and children, Carolyn is survived by her two siblings and their spouses, Ron & Rose Ann Peterson; Susan and Rod Taylor, all of Riverbank. She was greatly loved by her 6 nephews, 2 nieces and her 6 great nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her husband's siblings, Robin, Brent (Allyson) and Carl Searway.
During Carolyn's illness, a website was established called prayforcarolyn.com where over 100 family members, friends and acquaintances pledged to pray at least one hour a week for her. In turn, Carolyn also scheduled time to pray for each one who was praying for her. This act was recently characterized as a perfect reflection of the love others were sharing with her being returned back to them.
A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at Modesto Covenant Church on Friday, January 13th, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a scholarship account on behalf of Carolyn.
Published in the Modesto Bee on January 10, 2012
Carolyn was a graduate of San Leandro High School in 1977.
***
Carolyn Jean Searway, of Riverbank, fought a brave battle against Duodenal Cancer for the past 13 months. She received freedom from her pain on January 5th when she ended her 52 year journey on this earth and began her last journey home. Carolyn clearly expressed she had no fear of death, an outcome of her deep Christian faith.
A native of Berkeley, California, Carolyn was born to Edwin & Edith Peterson. Always a great student, she graduated from UC Berkeley in 1981 with high honors. Later that year she married another Cal alumnus, Ben Searway, and accompanied him to Duluth, Minnesota, and Simi Valley, California, where he served as a Covenant Youth Minister. Carolyn and Ben celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this past fall. Throughout her illness Ben was her pillar of strength.
In 1991 Carolyn and Ben moved to Riverbank, California, each beginning successful careers in education. Carolyn spent her years in public education as a teacher and instructional coach (which she called her "dream job") for the Riverbank Unified School District. She loved her students and her colleagues and kept in touch with many, often offering feedback to teachers who emailed her for advice or ideas during her months of illness. She most loved to hear stories about students, especially those who overcame great odds to achieve success. Carolyn also taught the children's program at the Bridge Covenant Church in Riverbank of which she was a founding member.
The times Carolyn cherished the most were those spent with family; she is survived by her three precious children, Michael, Robbie and Katie. She faithfully attended each child's school activities and sporting events celebrating two of her proudest moments when Michael received his Masters Degree in International Relations from George Washington University and Robbie graduated summa cum laude in English from CSU Stanislaus. Carolyn took special delight in watching Katie's ballet performances and was elated when Katie advanced to "point" this past summer in her training at PJ's dance studio. The hardest part of her illness was her realization she might miss so many things she wanted to do with her family.
In addition to her husband and children, Carolyn is survived by her two siblings and their spouses, Ron & Rose Ann Peterson; Susan and Rod Taylor, all of Riverbank. She was greatly loved by her 6 nephews, 2 nieces and her 6 great nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her husband's siblings, Robin, Brent (Allyson) and Carl Searway.
During Carolyn's illness, a website was established called prayforcarolyn.com where over 100 family members, friends and acquaintances pledged to pray at least one hour a week for her. In turn, Carolyn also scheduled time to pray for each one who was praying for her. This act was recently characterized as a perfect reflection of the love others were sharing with her being returned back to them.
A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at Modesto Covenant Church on Friday, January 13th, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a scholarship account on behalf of Carolyn.
Published in the Modesto Bee on January 10, 2012
***
Carolyn Jean Searway, of Riverbank, fought a brave battle against Duodenal Cancer for the past 13 months. She received freedom from her pain on January 5th when she ended her 52 year journey on this earth and began her last journey home. Carolyn clearly expressed she had no fear of death, an outcome of her deep Christian faith.
A native of Berkeley, California, Carolyn was born to Edwin & Edith Peterson. Always a great student, she graduated from UC Berkeley in 1981 with high honors. Later that year she married another Cal alumnus, Ben Searway, and accompanied him to Duluth, Minnesota, and Simi Valley, California, where he served as a Covenant Youth Minister. Carolyn and Ben celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this past fall. Throughout her illness Ben was her pillar of strength.
In 1991 Carolyn and Ben moved to Riverbank, California, each beginning successful careers in education. Carolyn spent her years in public education as a teacher and instructional coach (which she called her "dream job") for the Riverbank Unified School District. She loved her students and her colleagues and kept in touch with many, often offering feedback to teachers who emailed her for advice or ideas during her months of illness. She most loved to hear stories about students, especially those who overcame great odds to achieve success. Carolyn also taught the children's program at the Bridge Covenant Church in Riverbank of which she was a founding member.
The times Carolyn cherished the most were those spent with family; she is survived by her three precious children, Michael, Robbie and Katie. She faithfully attended each child's school activities and sporting events celebrating two of her proudest moments when Michael received his Masters Degree in International Relations from George Washington University and Robbie graduated summa cum laude in English from CSU Stanislaus. Carolyn took special delight in watching Katie's ballet performances and was elated when Katie advanced to "point" this past summer in her training at PJ's dance studio. The hardest part of her illness was her realization she might miss so many things she wanted to do with her family.
In addition to her husband and children, Carolyn is survived by her two siblings and their spouses, Ron & Rose Ann Peterson; Susan and Rod Taylor, all of Riverbank. She was greatly loved by her 6 nephews, 2 nieces and her 6 great nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her husband's siblings, Robin, Brent (Allyson) and Carl Searway.
During Carolyn's illness, a website was established called prayforcarolyn.com where over 100 family members, friends and acquaintances pledged to pray at least one hour a week for her. In turn, Carolyn also scheduled time to pray for each one who was praying for her. This act was recently characterized as a perfect reflection of the love others were sharing with her being returned back to them.
A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at Modesto Covenant Church on Friday, January 13th, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a scholarship account on behalf of Carolyn.
Published in the Modesto Bee on January 10, 2012
