Carolyn Frances Howe
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories”
Daughter of Norma & Walter Howe Mother of Bridget McIlrath Fredericks (Will) & James Robin Mcilrath, Grandma of Asher Johnson (Fiancé Gabbie), Adam Johnson & Aria Howe MciLrath. She nicknamed her grandchildren her “A Team”.
Funny, loving, smart, mischievous, brilliant, mentor, best friend, kind, fun, bright light, beautiful, inspirational, sweet, wise, role model, trailblazer for women in business, spiritual, like a sister, no one like her, proud mother and grandma, I think of her laughter, caring, made getting my taxes fun, bright and beautiful spirit that will live in our hearts forever.
These are some of the descriptions we’ve heard about our wonderful mother over the weeks. She was truly a remarkable and amazing lady. She was the mom that always had something nice to say, always had a hug and someone we could talk to or our friends could talk to and that we could laugh and laugh with. Our touchstone, our example of living a life of loving and loving what you are doing.
Carolyn was born to Norma and Walter Howe in Atlanta, Georgia. Her father was stationed there for two years during the war working in manufacturing. They returned to Santa Barbara when she was one and she grew up in Santa Barbara. She attended Harding Elementary, La Cumbre Jr. High, and Santa Barbara High School. Go Dons!
You could drive around the Westside neighborhood with her and she could tell stories about people in town and where they lived growing up, or a peach tree she planted when she was playing hopscotch as a little girl. Or ask her if she knew someone and she’d say, “I kissed him on the playground in second grade!” When she was starting high school, her parents bought a house in a new housing neighborhood being built out by State and La Cumbre, and she was so mad she had to live so far away! This remained the family home for the next 55 years and she loved it.
After high school, she went to SBCC then transferred to Long Beach State. She met her future husband (Jimmy McIlrath) the second day there, got engaged ten days later, and married at the end of the first semester. He was a Navy pilot and she was devoted to being a Navy wife. He left for his first tour in Vietnam when she was eight months pregnant with Bridget. Robin was born while living on the Naval Base in Pt. Mugu.
After moving around for years, the family returned permanently to Santa Barbara. She divorced and Carolyn began working for Walter at Walter C. Howe and Associates, Tax and Accounting. Carolyn also returned to school to become an IRS Enrolled Agent. When Walter retired, she continued the family business as Carolyn F. Howe and Associates, Tax and Accounting. In the 1990’s she also opened Women in Tax, inc. She loved doing taxes, loved tax season and especially loved her clients! She looked forward to tax season every year.
Carolyn supported many in launching their careers, guiding them, believing in them and most importantly encouraging them to believe in themselves.
Carolyn grew up going to Unity Church and was married there. Later, she became an ordained Minister in the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness and remained a minister until she went to heaven. She attended the University of Santa Monica and received her Master’s in Spiritual Psychology. Her spirituality was sacred to her and it brought her guidance, loving, and inner peace. In addition, she married countless couples and this always brought her joy.
Always keeping busy with something, she served on multiple committees through the years: Starting in high school with the school council, then one of the first Santa Barbara Middle School Board of Trustees, The Hospice Giving Committee for the start of the Serenity House Campaign, The CALM Mentoring Program, San Vicente Board Treasurer, Santa Barbara MSIA Ministerial Board Treasurer, Team Mom for Sports Teams and many others.
She loved her family and she loved to be with family and “laugh and scratch”
She loved HLH and being on the back of his Harley
She loved playing cards and her Bridge Night with the ladies
She loved Harry’s onion rings
She loved everything perfectly in its place. Perfectly.
She loved jewelry and having her nails done
She loved her puppy
She loved her dear friends, so many lifelong
She loved her staff, so special to her
She loved being called Sunshine
She loved The Traveler. She loved to travel and went to Italy, Germany, France, Jerusalem, Peru, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Greece, to name a few, but Hawaii was always a go-to favorite to lay on the beach and read a book.
She was an example of living your life with loving; her heart was full. She’s dearly missed, but her legacy and footprint are always in our hearts. She was a blessing and always will be.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, November 20. For details please email the family at Carolynhowesfamily@gmail.com or if you have something you’d like to share with the family.
In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the non-profits: Santa Barbara Middle School, 1321 Alameda Padre Serra, SB 93103 or Cold Noses, Warm Hearts Animal Rescue both in honor of Carolyn Howe.
