Mary Carlstroem Obituary

March 6, 1931 - August 11, 2024 Mary Ann "Nana" began her long, joyful life in San Jose, the youngest child of Sicilian immigrants, doted on by siblings Fran, Marge, Jimmy, and Sal. She played in (and sometimes helped harvest) abundant apricot orchards, frolicked in her parents' Lion Grocery store, and discovered her passion for service to others.
Preceded in death by Charles, her husband of 64 years, she was beloved by children Chuck (Carolyn), Chris (Gabriella), Andree (Michael), Christa (Mark), Matthew (Kathy), Catherine (Frank), Julianne (Brian), Paul (Carolyn), John (Natasha), and Jane Bishop (Larry), grandchildren: Jett, Stephen, Claire, Keenan, Francesca (d.), Alex, Brendan, Quinn, Corina, Pascal, Mitch, Marina, John, Piper, Anna Maria, Elke, and Charles; grandnephews Colin, Tadhg, and Gavin; great-grandchildren Kai and Enzo.
The first woman in her family to graduate college, she attended Holy Names and San Jose State, then moved to the big city, San Francisco, met charming Charles (whose career as an attorney was predicated on her reading his lawbooks aloud), and lived out bohemian dreams-painting her apartment black and red, hijacking a cable car in pajamas, playing bongos in the park, and having drinks at the St. Francis Hotel in glamorous clothes and bright red lipstick.
She started her career as a teacher at Providence High School, and, though she took a hiatus after her second child, never seemed to get her fill of kids, returning to the classroom when her ninth was in school. Having traded red lipstick for fanciful, colorful earrings and animal-print blouses, she shared her love of reading and knowledge and by retirement had educated students from high, elementary, and preschool. At home she remained a constant, if stealthy, teacher, often by example-reading avidly in spare moments, asking opinions–while genuinely listening and giving wise counsel-and modeling her generosity of spirit, unflagging patience, curiosity, and interest in anything "kinda fun!"
Her leisure time was full of this fun; as a longtime member, she frequented the LA Zoo and LACMA, and after retirement she and Charles were lunchtime regulars at Farmer's Market, reading the newspapers at a shady table and enjoying the bounty of fresh fruit and restaurants.
Nana valued family, education, and love – for God and one another. She loved not abstractly, but materially and actively. Without hesitation she gave: a home, hug, dish of spaghetti, an ear, a little cash, a piece of chocolate, constant encouragement, unconditional acceptance. Her home may have sometimes been a madhouse, but it was also a refuge and sanctuary.
Towards the end, at times barely able to speak, she would often heroically find the strength to whisper just: Thank You and I love you. Her philosophy, in a nutshell, one she aimed to pass on to all who knew her.
A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, August 28 at 9 a.m. at Mission San Fernando Rey Church, Mission Hills.