Carenn Elizabeth Olson

Carenn Elizabeth Olson

Apr 20, 1952 - Oct 12, 2025

Carenn Elizabeth Olson, 73, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025, at the Frances Residential Care home in Tucson, Arizona.

Born on April 20, 1952, in Wasco, CA to John W. and Francisca Antonia (Toni) Eastridge.

The family moved to Bakersfield, CA shortly afterward. Carenn attended East Bakersfield High School and graduated as a straight A student and salutatorian of the Class of 1970. During high school she was also an AFS foreign exchange student in Switzerland. Carenn attended UCLA where she majored in German and earned a BA in 1974. In 1975, she and first husband Carl Olson, moved to Tucson, Arizona. As a graduate teaching assistant, she taught German courses while earning a MA in German from the University of Arizona in 1978.

Carenn taught for 37 years in Tucson – for the Tucson Unified School District and Pima Community College District. Like many teachers, Carenn had a passion for life-long learning, strong communication and organizational skills, and dedication to the success of her students.

Among her circle of friends, she was recognized for her generosity of time, dedicated support to them and their families, her depth of knowledge, and as a delightful lunch and coffee buddy. She welcomed everyone with warmth, grace, and humor, which often turned strangers into friends with ease. She will be missed.

Carenn was preceded in death by her second husband, Keith Emerson, and her parents, John W. and Toni Eastridge. She is survived by her brother, John R. Eastridge and sister-in-law Kris, of Bakersfield, CA; her niece, Janelle Eastridge of San Francisco, CA, and her nephew Tyler Eastridge and his wife Darian, grandniece Maple, and grandnephew Quincy of Poway, CA.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Cheri Clinton and the Tucson Collaborative Community Care (TC3), Patricia Trujillo and Vincent Sesma and the Frances Residential Care home, and Harmony Hospice of Tucson for their professionalism and compassion in providing care and comfort to Carenn during her final journey. Also, to longtime friends Liz Caccamise and April Willmore of Tucson for their support during Carenn’s lengthy illness.

A memorial service and reception will be held Tuesday, November 4 at 10 am at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams Street, Tucson AZ. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetic Association, or a charity of your choice.