Carolyn L. James

Carolyn Lavinia James, 73, died August 15, 2017, in Richland with her daughter at her side. She had suffered several health complications following a stroke in March 2015.

Carolyn was born in Seattle, WA to Harold B. “Mike” James and Dulcie Frewin James. She spent most of her growing up years in the Bay Area (Berkeley and Lafayette, CA), and Brazil (Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, MG) as her family followed her father’s mining career. At age five, she crossed the Pacific in a steamship with her mother and sister to spend a year in her mother’s native Australia when her father’s job was too remote for the family to accompany him. After graduating from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Carolyn spent a year in Paris before attending UC Berkeley to study languages. While at Berkeley, she met Arthur D. Kohler, a Navy officer studying engineering. They married in 1965, and daughter Ellen was born the following year.

In 1968, while traveling in Texas, Carolyn suffered a major brain hemorrhage, and was diagnosed with a congenital malformation of her brain vasculature. The Navy surgeon who treated her told her the condition was inoperable and suggested she return home and get her affairs in order. Characteristically, she was undeterred. Her husband was leaving for his next Navy assignment in a month, and she had a toddler to raise alone for a year. That hemorrhage, however, was the first of five major ones she would experience, and the course of her life was changed.

When the family moved to Peekskill, NY, she found Dr. Jost Michelsen, a respected neurosurgeon at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. Between hemorrhages, Dr. Michelsen did several surgeries and some experimental procedures to reduce the size of the malformation, until in 1976, he found an approach to remove the previously inoperable portion. Between these major health setbacks, Carolyn returned to college and completed a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology at Briarcliffe College in NY. She had hoped to continue in this field; however, the hemorrhages and surgeries had damaged her vision and ability to read. Although she spent years relearning to read, it was always a struggle. Her family is incredibly grateful to Dr. Michelsen for giving her back more than 40 years of life.

Carolyn and her family came to Richland in late 1976. As her health recovered, she found her experiences of illness, healing, and faith in God during the long hospital stays had given her much empathy toward others with health challenges—especially those facing death. She became a lay-chaplain with the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, serving in nursing homes, hospitals, and finally with Hospice. She later applied her pastoral skills to the Stephen Ministry program at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Richland. Carolyn had a special gift for listening and drawing people into conversation.

In retirement, she and Art divorced. Carolyn returned to the Bay Area several times, the place that felt most like home to her. Each time she stayed several years before the cost of living brought her back to the Tri-Cities and her daughter. In 2009, she returned to the Tri-Cities for good. She was a long-time member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church and also attended Shalom United Church of Christ. She was an associate of the Community of the Holy Spirit (an Episcopal monastic community) and enjoyed their silent retreats for many years. In later years, she was active in the Tri-Cities Industry (TCI) and Horse Heaven Hills Kiwanis clubs.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Ellen Kohler Baer; son-in-law Donald Baer; grandsons Jonathan Baer and Nathaniel Baer (Julie March), and great granddaughter Coralie Lovelock Baer. She was preceded in death by both parents and sister Sylvia James.

Her memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 8 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 1322 Kimball Ave., Richland, with reception following. Her ashes will be interred later in her beloved Bay Area. The family sends special thanks to Dr. Matthew Fewel, Mr. Tim Lord, the All Saints’ Pastoral Care Team, and dear friend Carol Latorre for their help and care. These, of course, are only a few of the people who have been help and companionship to Carolyn; we are grateful for all who have contributed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Kiwanis SIGN Project, Richland, WA (for TCI Kiwanis club), https://sites.google.com/site/kiwanissign, or the Community of the Holy Spirit, 118 Federal Hill Rd, Brewster NY 10509.