Carol Ann Kirby, age 81, passed peacefully at her home in Hood River, OR on May 7, 2018.

Carol was born July 11, 1936 in Hood River, OR to Myron and June (Vosberg) Jensen. Her sister and best friend, Eileen Fern, was born one year and one week later. After the tragic death of their father at age 9, the family moved to Odell, OR where Carol attended Odell Grade School, the Old Odell High School and graduated from Wy’East High School in 1954. She met Clyde Kirby during her junior year of high school while roller skating in Parkdale, OR. Carol and Clyde were engaged in her senior year and married in the Odell Methodist Church on July 25, 1954. Carol once wrote, “thank you God for helping me to choose the right husband so long ago.” They were married 63 years.

Carol worked seasonally packing fruit until the birth of her children between 1956 and 1960. After her children went to school, Carol began working in various clerical and financial positions including 17 years at the Paris Fair and retired from Key Bank after 10 years in 1998.

During retirement, Carol and Clyde enjoyed RV’ing with friends. They took trips with “Good Sam” friends annually and particularly looked forward to traveling to the Hepner St. Patrick’s Day celebration and the Pendleton Round Up. They also traveled with lifelong friends to Alaska, Arizona and Wyoming.
One of Carol’s greatest pleasures was to be surrounded by family and friends. She made gatherings memorable and all her children and grandchildren looked forward to family celebrations. She enjoyed camping and fishing especially the annual family camping trip to the Oregon coast. Her grandchildren always looked forward to sitting down at the camp table to play cards and Dominos with grandma and grandpa. Carol liked to sit by the camp fire with the family talking, singing periodically and telling stories. On one camping trip we started a continuing story where each person around the fire would add to the story. Around and around the story went as we laughed and laughed, until we lost track of time and the camp ground security told us we were too noisy and had to quiet down. We all looked forward to spending time together, walking on the beach, playing games and eating good food.

Carol attended the Hood River Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed volunteering and participating in church events including the annual Living Nativity. She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Hood River.

Carol will be missed by her husband, Clyde N. Kirby; her sister Eileen (Jensen) Willis of Bend, OR; her children Sue (Darold) Moore of Hood River, OR, Terry (Virginia) Kirby of Odell, OR, and Norman (Coya) Kirby of Redmond, WA; her grandchildren, Beckie (Gary) Bloomdahl of The Dallas, OR, Jenny (Nick) Kirby of Tempe AZ, Drew (Sierra) Kirby of The Dallas, OR, Travis (Aileen) Moore of Hood River, OR, Tyler (Jessica) Kirby of Augusta, GA and William Kirby of Wenatchee, WA; six Great Grandchildren, Kristian (Cierra) Lucas, Morgan Bloomdahl, Taylor Bloomdahl, Jack Kirby, Gavin Kirby and Elle Kirby and extended family, Dany Hildreth and Chirstopher Hildreth.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Hood River Church of the Nazarene (2168 Belmont Ave Hood River, OR 97031), followed by graveside services at Idlewilde Cemetery (980 Tucker Road Hood River, OR 9703.1). The family invites you to attend a remembrance luncheon at the Hood River Church of the Nazarene immediately following the graveside service.

We want thank Providence Hospice of the Gorge for their kind and gentle care during the last weeks of our beautiful Carol’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Carol’s name to Providence Hospice of the Gorge (1630 Woods Ct Hood River, OR 97031).

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.