Obituary

Carole Jeanne Westman-DaDurka, born Sunday, December 18, 1938, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael “Jerry” DaDurka; her parents Charles Arthur Westman & Margaret Inez Westman; and cousin Jack Westman.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was raised going to the Christian Science Church. This led her to choose Principia College in Illinois, where she would study and get her degree. She later moved to California, where she began her long career as a school teacher. It was during this time when she met the love of her life, another school teacher, Jerry DaDurka. And on January 1st of 2000, they married. Together they truly enjoyed life – especially traveling the roads in their RV. And then Jerry passed in January of 2023.

Having lost her parents when she was far too young and then losing her husband in her later years – through it all – she still gave us that beautiful smile of hers and that chortle of her laugh. Carole loved her friends and her family in such a big way. She was an avid Animal Rights advocate, a fan of See’s Candy, took pleasure in feeding her wild birds, but most of all she was a devout Christian Scientist and truly loved her church and her friends there.

She is survived by her beloved cat Queenie; her Valko nieces Alisa & Miranda & Emily; her NM cousin Steve Westman; her dear friends Brenda & Russell Nelson; and longtime best friend Paul Garman.

Extreme gratitude to Karla & Eddy & Socorro & Bertha – the women who cared for Carole these past several months.

Per her wishes, she will be cremated with no formal service. At a later time, her ashes scattered in a shepherd’s pasture.

If you care to honor her memory, consider making a donation to an Animal Rescue that you love.