Carolyn Carswell Anderson

Bristol, VA

Carolyn Carswell Anderson, a beloved member of the Monterey County community, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2023, at the age of 87. Carolyn was born on August 17, 1935, in Johnson City, Tennessee. At the age of 14, she and her family moved to Monterey, California, where she would spend most of her life.

After graduating from Monterey High School, Carolyn went on to work in law enforcement for many years. She began her career as a dispatcher and matron for the Monterey Police Department, where she quickly earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues for her dedication and hard work. She later worked for the Del Monte Forest Security Department and served as a zoning investigator for Monterey County.

In addition to her career in law enforcement, Carolyn was an active member of her community and was passionate about local environmental issues. Mark Silberstein, Executive Director of The Elkhorn Sough Foundation, said “Carolyn served Elkhorn Slough for many years and brought wisdom, invaluable guidance and a deep sense of care to conservation and program development in Elkhorn Slough. Carolyn was a fierce advocate for North County - she loved this place and worked to ensure it was a healthy spot.”

Carolyn also co-founded and co-chaired Friends, Artists and Neighbors of Elkhorn Slough (FANS) for more than a decade. FANS is a non-profit, all volunteer organization with a mission to preserve and protect the natural environment and ecology of Elkhorn Slough and the adjacent and interconnected sloughs and their watersheds through public education, citizen activism and advocacy. Carolyn spent untold hours educating FANS volunteers to make a difference in how the rural community of North Monterey County grew. She taught all that there was to know about land use planning and policy analysis, drawing from her extensive knowledge obtained through her long career working for Monterey County.

Mari Kloeppel, also a FANS co-founder, said “Failure was not an option for Carolyn when it came to pursuing environmental protection of North Monterey County. She knew the law and taught us how to work within the legal statutes that govern the county, and helped guide us to great success in opposing proposed development projects that were inconsistent with environmental protection and protection of natural resources.”

Carolyn was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. She married Santo A DeRose in Reno in 1958 and had two children, Dianne Andis and Anthony DeRose. She later married Kenneth E. Anderson in 1980. Carolyn is survived by her children, siblings Calvin Robert Carswell, Jr, Sharon Garrison, Josephine Thompson, and many other loving family members and friends.

Carolyn will be remembered for her sharp intellect, unwavering dedication to her family, and fierce commitment to her community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched throughout her life.

She spent her last years at Oakmont at Gordon Park near Dianne in Abingdon, Va. The staff and hospice workers at Oakmont took great care of her, and for that the family is profoundly thankful.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Frost Funeral Home Chapel in Abingdon, VA.

Donations made in Carolyn’s memory can be made out to: Friends, Artists and Neighbors of Elkhorn Slough and sent to PO Box 180, Moss Landing, CA 95039. All donation are tax deductible.

Rest in peace, Carolyn Anderson.

Frost Funeral Home is honored to serve the Anderson family.