February 24, 1926 – May 24, 2026
Carolyn was born on February 24, 1926 in Lake Oswego, Oregon to Dell and Mina Hinson. She passed away, at the age of 100, on May 24, 2026. She now joins her square dance partner, William (Bill) Dean Ireland, in eternal rest.
Carolyn attended The University of Oregon where she met her future husband. Bill describes his first meeting with Carolyn as her being “a vision of loveliness.” At U of O, she was active in Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and earned a BA in Art. Shortly after graduating in 1949, she married Bill.
Carolyn supported Bill’s early career in hotel management, working alongside him, while setting up households as they helped manage The Tremont Hotel in Dunsmuir, CA and the DeAnza Hotel in San Jose. Around the time their son was born, it was decided to change Bill’s career path. They moved to South San Francisco where Carolyn enjoyed being a mother and Bill received his BA from Golden Gate University. In the mid 60’s, they moved to Los Altos. Carolyn was an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed sewing matching square dance outfits for herself and Bill, dresses for her daughter and Halloween costumes for her son.
Carolyn was very active with the Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos. During the years in the Altar Guild, she designed the altar kneelers that she and several ladies needlepointed, she arranged many flowers for the altar and later was the head “wishy washer” of the altar linens.
In 1976, Carolyn was initiated into P.E.O. sisterhood where she enjoyed the social activities and community service that the organization provided. She held several chapter offices and volunteered at the P.E.O. owned Nearly New Shop where all money raised went to California Girl’s Scholarships.
After Bill retired in 1983, he and Carolyn traveled around the US in their motor home. In 1991, they sold their home in Los Altos and moved to The Forum at Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino. This gave them even more freedom to travel around the world. When Carolyn wasn’t traveling, she was knitting sweaters and baby hats, updating her photo albums and working in The Forum Gift Shop.
Following Bill’s passing in 2011, Carolyn continued to busy herself with the church, the Forum and visiting family in Chico and Grass Valley. In 2021, Carolyn moved to The Courtyard at Little Chico Creek in Chico to be closer to family.
Carolyn is survived by her son Michael (Deborah) of Grass Valley, daughter Dana Foutz (Greg) of Chico, Sister-in-Law Deanna Melzian (Linda Silas) of Big Bear, five Granddaughters, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. We will miss her smile, thoughtful notes and newspaper clippings and creativity. We love you more!
Family would like to thank the staff at The Courtyard at Little Chico Creek, Butte Home Health and Hospice and Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home. Their care, devotion and compassion were greatly appreciated when we all needed it the most. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 19th at the home of Dana & Greg Foutz.
