Carol Jean Pasch

Carol Jean Pasch, age 79, of Astoria, Oregon, passed away June 11, 2020 at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

Carol was born on November 2, 1940 to Roy and Verna Chesnut in Table Rock, Nebraska. She graduated from Lake Worth High School in Fort Worth, Texas and married the love of her life, Robert Pasch on April 2, 1958. Robert’s military career took them around the world living in Thailand and Turkey as well as many states across the US. Carol was never without an interesting story or fact related to her travels. She always thought back to the Buddhist sites visited in Thailand, the Turkish culture, and the many dear, lifelong friends she made while they traveled.

Carol was the devoted mother of five children. She was never shy about the fact that she would defend and support her family through any circumstances. Carol was the personification of unconditional love. She took an active interest in the hobbies and achievements of every child and/or grandchild, stepping in as Brownie troop leader when the original one moved, and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s events whenever possible. Her family was a source of pride that she was always ready to chat about.

As her kids got older, Carol began work first as a receptionist at a Veteran’s Hospital in Livermore, California, then as the Postmaster’s secretary at the main post office in Chico, California. She worked hard and was promoted to Postmaster of Sterling City, California. Following her retirement from that position in 1993 she moved to Weaverville, California and took a Postmaster position in Junction City, California. She retired from the Post Office in 2000. Carol was extremely proud of her career as Postmaster and loved her work as it allowed her to know and befriend every member of her community.

Carol moved to Astoria, Oregon in 2009. She was a skilled needle worker and kept busy by knitting and crocheting hats that she donated to her favorite charity, “Knots of Love.” She knitted and donated over 700 hats to Knots of Love over several years. She also made hundreds of baby hats that she sent to hospitals for newborn babies.

Carol was what you’d call a “cool” parent or grandparent. At the age of 65 she pierced her nose and even got a small tattoo. She often changed the color of her hair simply for the fun of it. While always friendly and loving, she was a prideful lady who never once worried about what others thought of her choices. She embraced technology at home and the modern world in which we live. She loved to share her ancestry findings and collect family stories from the past. 

She is survived by her four children Robert (Sharene) Pasch, Jr., Jim (Leslie) Pasch, Laura (Ken) Sims, and Linda (Dave) Messerli, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her husband of 38 years, Robert Pasch, as well as their son William Pasch.

Carol passed away very peacefully surrounded by the love of her family, after a very aggressive intestinal infection. She was active until the end, busy making cards at her Senior Center, monthly lunches with friends, and knitting and crocheting baby blankets for her friends’ babies and her great grandbabies. Her family is struggling with the suddenness of her passing and is heartbroken at the loss. A burial and Celebration of Life will be planned for the Spring of 2021 in Chico, California, when she will be interred at the Chico Cemetery alongside her husband and son. Should family members and friends desire, a financial donation or sympathy gift in memory of Carol can be made to her favorite charity, “Knots of Love,” in lieu of flowers (https://knotsoflove.givingfuel.com/donations).

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