Carol "Jan" Eastberg

Jul 12, 1935 -

Mar 25, 2024

Carol "Jan" Eastberg was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 12, 1935, to Clarence Black and Louise (Frisbie) Black. She passed away on March 25, 2024, in Mesa, Ariz., with her daughters by her side. She was 88 years old.

As a young girl, she loved to go to the soda fountain, climb her grandpa's apple tree and spend summers with her family in the Colorado mountains. During WWII, her father served as an officer and she remembered life in the hotels, moving many times. She learned to make friends easily, and that carried on throughout her life.

At 9 years of age, Jan was happy to have a younger sister, Susan, born into the family. Shortly afterward the girls moved to Phoenix, Ariz., with their mother. Jan and Susan had a strong bond and enjoyed laughter when together.

Jan, her mother and sister then moved to Walnut Creek, Calif., where Jan graduated from Acalanes High School. She went on to University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., and after her second year she married Edwin Eastberg. They chose the beautiful seaside town of Santa Barbara, Calif., to settle and have three daughters.

Ed and Jan moved to Anchorage, Alaska, for business opportunities following the 1964 earthquake. Jan raised the girls while staying involved in many social and athletic pursuits: bowling league, bridge parties, President of the Petroleum Wives Club, cross-country skiing and fishing. Weekends were spent at Big Lake, where they built a cabin. Jan and Ed entertained local friends as well as visiting business people; she was a warm and entertaining hostess. On Thanksgiving she made sure all had a place at the table.

Jan was a wonderful mother. Her daughters recall the healthy nutritious home-cooked meals, learning to sew and cook, Jan as the Girl Scout leader and her support in their chosen activities.

After the kids left home, Jan trained to be a floral designer. She started her own business, "Silk Design," specializing in weddings. She made many brides happy, including those in the remote Alaska villages where she would ship their floral arrangements and bouquets.

In 2008, Jan moved to Gold Canyon, Ariz., next to the scenic Superstition Mountains, purchasing a home and remarrying late in life. She made many new friends and enjoyed the warmth and sun tremendously.

In retirement as in life in Alaska, Jan loved to be out of doors, including travelling in the RV and camping in nature, always in the company of her beloved poodle.

Jan is survived by her daughters, Cheryl, Debra and Brenda; grandsons, Matthew, Justin, Christopher and Blake; sister, Susan; cousin, Judith; and second husband, Walter. If you would like to leave a memory, her favorite charity was the Hope Women's Center, 1640 E. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006. She will be missed. We were lucky to have her.