Carolyn Lenore Rios

May 3, 1945 -

Mar 25, 2020

Carolyn Lenore Rios went to be with her heavenly father on March 25, 2020, from Legacy Hospital, Vancouver, Wash. She left too soon for us, just right for her.

Carolyn was born in Southgate, Calif., on May 3, 1945, to Richard Francis Howell and Mabel Lenore Kett. Her childhood and teen years were filled with the people and events that would anchor her perspective of the world. From her mother she learned the wisdom of life's intricacies and pitfalls; from her father, the practical reality of basic necessities; a vibrant and soul-deep love for Jesus Christ that defined her as a person the rest of her life; and music lessons which were to portend the focus of her adult life. She graduated from La Habra High School and began college studies at the University of California, Riverside. Her studies were interrupted after two years when she and her high school sweetheart, Rick Rios, were married. That was 54 years ago. Rick was always the love of her life.

A desire for adventure and a sense of what might be, brought a move to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1968. Carolyn and Rick lived in Alaska for 48 action packed years. Their home was known as a place where visitors frequented and were treated to Carolyn's beautiful hospitality. Alaska is where their two sons, Andrew and Matthew, were born and raised. Alaska is where Carolyn lived out her love of God as a wife, mother, friend, teacher and missionary. She had a 45-year career as music teacher. Her influence in music education is part of her legacy. Many of her students are now music teachers, utilizing the principles she used with them as they teach their students. Her love for the Lord was shared with many people, including a 20-year ministry in Russia, where she traveled more than 15 times. She even learned to speak fluent Russian when she was in her 60s. Carolyn cared most of all about God's love and openly shared it with her world. Her favorite study became Bible Study Fellowship. She was dedicated to her whole family and gave herself totally to them.

In 2016, desiring to be near their sons and grandchildren, Carolyn and Rick moved to Vancouver, Wash. There, they quickly established significant and lasting relationships. Once again Carolyn's lovely hospitality was shared with new friends as well as longtime friends who traveled to visit her and Rick. Music filled her life through to her last breath. She, herself, is that unending note ready to welcome the rest of us into her Heavenly home.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Richard Rios; two sons, Andrew and Mathew; five grandchildren, Katrielle, Jonah, Jerimiah, Natalie and James; two great-grandchildren, Zavier and Zyra; and her only sibling, her favorite sister, Ruth Howell. In addition she leaves a large family of best friends and a multitude of people who just really liked her.

A memorial celebration in honor of her life is being delayed, but tributes to Carolyn, so her young grandchildren can know her as time passes, can be sent to Deana Holsinger at akholsinger@gmail.com.