Carol Frances Lao

Jan. 21, 1947 – June 9, 2017

Carol Frances Lao, 70, was killed in a car accident outside of Anchor Point on June 9, 2017. She was born in Martinez, Calif., on Jan. 21, 1947, and grew up in Madera, Calif., where her parents, William Leland James and Aileen Eleanor Avellar James, were long-time residents.

Early on, Carol was very athletic, competing in high springboard diving, gymnastics and pairs roller skating. She also enjoyed skiing. As an adult, she was very active in Homer dart competitions. She loved flowers, gardening, cats and especially her close friends in Alaska, who found her to be a breath of fresh air and a funny companion. She was there for them when they were in need.

Much of her life, Carol lived in California, and worked at a variety of jobs, finding her niche in working with people the most satisfying. She and her husband, Vincente Lao, cared for her mother, who had early dementia, from 1988 to 1994. Her mother then moved to Homer and lived with her other daughter, Jolee. Carol followed in 1998 and they cared for their mother until her death in 2000. She so loved Alaska she never moved from Homer.

“Carol will be greatly missed by her close friend, Bruce Anderson, and her many friends in and around Homer. May we all remember her high spirits and how she made us laugh. Somewhere she is making where she is just a little bit better,” her family said.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, William L. James and Aileen E. Avellar James, and her son, Mark Baraldi, from Carol’s marriage to Michael Baraldi.

She is survived by Mark’s two children, Nicholas and Samantha; her son Gino Pardini, from Carol’s marriage to Frank Pardini, and Gino’s two children, Remmington and Hunter; her daughter, Martha Phillips, from Carol’s marriage to Edward Myers (now deceased) and Martha’s children, Alexzander and Lucinda; her sister, Jolee Ellis; close friend, Bruce Anderson, and many friends and relatives.

At Carol’s request, there will not be a memorial service, but a private scattering of her ashes will happen at a later date.