Carolyn Pettis

We celebrate the life of a remarkable soul, Carol McGregor Pettis, who peacefully passed away on February 1, 2024. Carol’s life was a tapestry woven with threads of love for family, a passion for plants and animals, and a wealth of enduring friendships.

Carol was born at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois where her father served in the Navy. Her formative years were spent in Berkeley, a vibrant university town. The McGregor family moved to the top of Grizzly Peak when her father taught Navel Science at UC Berkeley.  Her time in Berkeley was marked by the enchantment of Tilden Park, its trees, Merry Go Round and ice cream cones, all laid a foundation for Carol’s enduring connection to the city she held dear. It was during these years that she developed a fondness for nature, cultivated by her surroundings in Berkeley.

The family moved to Long Beach, CA where Carol excelled as a student and rose to any academic challenge, as long as it didn’t involve a kitchen. She particularly enjoyed writing. She was a gifted writer and regularly made notes on themes and ideas that she would later explore. 

As a testament to her academic prowess, Carol pursued her studies at UCLA, graduating with honors and a degree in History. Her insatiable curiosity led her to a career at the state of California’s Employment Development Department, where she dedicated herself to helping others expand their employment opportunities. 

During a retreat at Highland Springs, serendipity smiled upon Carol as she crossed paths with her future husband, Bill Pettis. Their immediate connection blossomed into a remarkable 45-year marriage, marked by shared interests in music, singing, animals, and travel. The couple discovered a surprising twist of fate – they both shared a mutual friend, Jim Croxton who was Carol’s psychology professor, and Bill’s admissions director.  This was a connection that further solidified their bond and resulted in more than four decades of Thanksgiving visits and shared family meals.

Carol and Bill shared an extraordinary love for animals, which eventually led them to ranch life the Sacramento Valley. Their days were filled with the joy of horses, horse shows and The State Fair, as well as dogs, birds, and cats, surrounded by cherished friendships all of which generated friends locally and across the nation.

Carol was a note taker, she summarized her notes each month producing a wealth of information for her three books. A children’s book The Bear in A Box , Carol McGregor Pettis’ Family History Vol 1-3 and Animal People. All started as “ideas to self” and ended up as largescale productions.  Carol started family genealogy research in 1971, before the availability of computer access. It was, mail a letter, ask for information, or search microfiche or if local, search dusty paper documents in her pursuit of family genealogy. As computer access improved, she updated her work and made any needed corrections.  Her book Animal People is the soul of who Carol was.

Carol had a close and enduring relationship with her mother. Beyond her immediate family, Carol embraced her role as a loving stepmother, step-grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her relationships with niece, Karen (McGregor) Joel Weddick and nephew, Bruce McGregor, Step-daughters, Lauri Blake and Winter Renwick; Step-grand-children Cassie (Alfonso) Chavez, Conner Cummings, Riley and Taylor Renwick; step great grand-children Sebastian and Ariani Chavez were cherished, with personal letters and thoughtful gifts sent for every birthday and holiday.

In reflecting on Carol’s life, let us celebrate the love she shared, the joy she spread, and the lasting impact she leaves on all who were fortunate enough to know her. May her memory be a source of inspiration and comfort as we honor the legacy of a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many.