Alcot, Carolyn Power

Nov 7, 1953 - April 29, 2013

In the course of her 59 years of life, former Petaluman Carolyn Power Alcott worked in a wide array of fields, including journalism. She was a longtime journalist for publications including the Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Examiner, and the Marin Independent Journal.

After a battle with pancreatic cancer, she died at her Oakland home on April 29, 2013.

A native of Sacramento, she also lived in Yosemite, Monterey, and New York City. She settled in Petaluma for 20 years, and then relocated to the East Bay in 2010. She was at one time married to David Alcott, a former reporter for the Petaluma Argus-Courier who died in 2004.

In addition to journalism, Ms. Alcott also had careers as a caseworker and family liaison for bilingual preschool program Head Start. She was an agricultural development researcher for Harvest Moon Vineyards; and, most recently, a paralegal with Taylor Immigration Law.

"She kept her clients on speed dial, took pains to keep her command of the Spanish language intact, met deadlines without fail, and always treated learning with love," said her daughter, Kathleen Alcott. "She was also a devoted and much beloved mother, and guided with a fierce compassion. As a parent of two girls, she encouraged independent thought, welcomed creative messes, dried tears with the sleeve of her sweater, and always knew when to listen and when to speak."

She is survived by her daughters Vanessa Penn of Santa Rosa and Kathleen Alcott of New York City; brother Patrick Power of Concord; and partner Ben Marsh of Oakland.