Ann Carlson

Ann Corinne Carlson, 88, passed away the afternoon of July 27, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ann and her husband, Donald Carlson., moved to Taos in 1986 from Stanford CA. Donald passed away in January, 2000. She is survived by daughters: Cristen Osborne who lives in Mountain View CA, Ann Robertson, and her husband Mark of Pilar, NM and Marsha Carlson of Taos, NM; granddaughters: Karey Juencke and her husband Vivek Raman of Las Vegas NV, Sara Quast and husband Jeff of Santa Clara, CA, and Molly Robertson of Taos, NM. She also is survived by great grand children to Sara and Jeff Quast: Sofia and Connor, her dear friends: Bobbie Henry and Jason Phiefer, both from Taos, as well as her beloved cat Bob. Ann was dearly loved by many and was known as outgoing, compassionate, generous and open minded, befriending people where ever she went. Ann had an indomitable spirit and a commitment to a love for life that lasted to the very end. She felt connected to all living things, deeply loving her animals and creating a serene garden where she loved to spend time nurturing the earth and observing the birds and the bugs. She was particularly attracted to butterflies, who sometimes would come to her and sit on her hand. She had a tenderness toward stray souls of all ages who became honorary family members. Ann grew up in Omaha during the Great Depression and moved to Southern California in her teens, where she met Donald her first and only love whom she was married to for 57 years. She spent most of her life with her husband on the Stanford University campus. While there she was the first art director of the Faculty Club and took on avid individual study of all manner of topics, from current events to physics. She pursued self education all of her life. She had a sharp and analytical mind and loved a good discussion always utilizing her kindhearted listening abilities. She was a passionate cook and was known to crank up the music and dance in the kitchen while she was fixing dinner. She had an eye for beauty and created a delightful home environment filled with simple, refined beauty. She loved to support budding creativity, frequently purchasing art work from local, young artists (particularly women) some of whom have gone on to become renown. She believed that in the end love was the only thing that mattered. Ann Carlson will be profoundly missed by her family. There will never be a soul as beautiful as hers in our hearts. May her love and passion for life live on in all who knew her. Services will be held at a later date.