Carol Pierce

Carol Pierce passed away peacefully on August 14, 2020, surrounded by her family.

Carol was born on July 24, 1936, in Placerville, California, to Harold and Mildred Morehouse. She was the youngest of four and the last survivor of her family. She adored her father, a Presbyterian Minister. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1942 leaving his wife alone to raise four children. She loved her siblings and enjoyed playing tricks on them. She was very fond of her brother who taught her to drive, how to change a tire, and how to drink coffee - black. The family was very musical. She and her sisters played the piano while her brother played the violin. They all loved to sing.

She met her first husband, Dick Lilly in high school. They were both involved in their youth group at church. They were married and had three children Elizabeth, Susan, and David. Dick Lilly was on the San Francisco Police Force. He decided to join the California Highway Patrol and was stationed in San Jose. In 1967 he was killed on duty.

After a time, she unexpectedly ran into an old friend Dick Pierce. He and his brothers were friends with her sisters and older brother. Dick Pierce was recently divorced with four children of his own, Roger, Katherine,Wynd, and J.P. They married in 1969. Carol and her children moved to Walnut Creek where Dick and his children lived. They worked well to blend their family and had another daughter Jennie in 1972 completing their family of eight children.

Carol and her family were active members of Grace Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek. She and Dick sang in the choir and were in leadership positions in the church. She was involved in Bible studies, bell choir, knitting and sewing circles, The Stephen Ministries, and charity work.

Carol was a consummate hostess, and an active and beloved member of her community. She valued friendship and fun. She played in women's and couple's bridge groups and dinner groups, hosted gatherings large and small in her home. She always made sure that the large extended family stayed in touch, hosting and encouraging nieces and nephews, cousins, siblings, in-laws and close friends to gather and stay in touch.

Carol loved animals. Particularly dogs and horses. Often, she would go on long trail rides with family or friends. Later she came to love Arabian horses and became involved in showing and breeding them.

She was a great lover of music. She played the piano her entire life - she played for church, was a member of a piano club, she loved to play duets with her musician friends and play accompaniment to her children's singing or various instruments. She taught all her children to play piano and encouraged them to always have music in their lives. She was a great supporter of the San Francisco Opera, Symphony and loved Broadway musicals, especially Oklahoma. She had a deep knowledge of classical music and composers and the house was always filled with music.

Carol loved to travel. She and Dick travelled to many countries including Japan, Tonga, Fiji, England, Switzerland, France, European River Cruises, and the Galapagos Islands. They took the family on many skiing, backpacking, and camping adventures particularly in the Sierras and Yosemite. Road trips were fun with lots of singing and games in the car. She and Dick loved adventure and both studied for their pilot's license. Carol particularly loved to fly her friends to the Nut Tree for lunch.

In the early 2000's, Carol became a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Orinda, California. She received so much joy from joining the music program and participating in choir and bell choir. She immediately became a valued member of the church, joining groups and making many friends who remained close for the rest of her life.

In March of 2018, Carol and Dick moved to Roseville, California, to be closer to family. Once again, the house was filled with visiting neighbors, family and friends. Carol joined St. John's Episcopal Church and joined bible study and sewing groups. She actively became friends with her neighbors.

Carol is survived by her husband Dick, eight children: Roger Pierce, Katherine Harbaugh, Wynd Duenwald, Beth Marsh, Susie Snortum,
J.P. Pierce, David Pierce, Jennie Paxson, their spouses, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held as soon as it is safe to gather a great number of people who want to express their love and appreciation for Carol. According to her wishes, her body will be cremated, and her ashes spread at Land's End in San Francisco, which she often said was her favorite place in the world.