In Memory Of Nan Carlton…

Obituary Posted 12/27/15 – Nan Hathaway Carlton passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Dec. 21st. Nan Hathaway was born in Chicago, Illinois to Alice Johnstone Hathaway and Elnathan Maurice Hathaway.  Nan moved to Sierra Madre with her mother when she was five years old in 1938.  Nan was a lifelong resident of Sierra Madre.

Nan attended Sierra Madre Elementary School, Wilson Junior High School and Pasadena High School.  (The high school was part of what was then the 4 year Pasadena Junior College.)  While a high school student she rode the Sierra Madre Rose Parade float.

Nan married Gerald (Jerry) Brian Carlton on February 12, 1953, and they moved to the Sierra Madre Canyon.  They had three kids by 1957: Steve, Sheri, and Suzi.  In 1960 they all moved to the house that Nan would live in for the rest of her life raising their kids. During this period Nan’s young siblings Bert, Jesse, and Maggie moved in with Nan and Jerry, and stayed though high school.

Nan loved her small town, Sierra Madre.  She was a community volunteer starting as a young mother: she and Jerry taught Sunday school and ran the church youth group when her kids were young. Her volunteer career started with youth issues and continued into other areas.  She was active in the Sierra Madre Elementary School PTA, Little League, Girls Softball, and the Sierra Madre Athletic Association. Nan was one of the founders and first managers of Girls Softball.  She started the league with other parents because in those days the girls were not allowed to play in Little League.

Nan and Jerry were interested in the environment around them; both were early members of the Sierra Madre Environmental Action Council, which started the Recycling Center.   Nan was also a docent for Bailey Canyon nature walks.  In addition, Nan and Jerry were actively involved with the Mt. Wilson Trail Race for many years.

In later life, Nan’s high school Rose Float ride turned into years of working for the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association.  Her kids pasted many a flower on the floats.

Nan held many positions with the Sierra Madre Civic Club, including club officer and newsletter editor.

She was a Relay for Life team captain during the period Sheri was under treatment for breast cancer.

Nan and Jerry’s community commitment was recognized by the City of Sierra Madre and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2012 when they were honored as Older Americans of the Year (see also here)..

Any discussion of Nan must acknowledge that she was a people person.  Her circle of friends was very important to her, which included her knitting group, Civic Club, and the gang at Curves.  Her family friends included the neighbors on Adams Street, some of whom have moved away many years ago, and still kept up with her.

She is survived by her husband Jerry Carlton of Sierra Made; son Steve Carlton (wife Laurie) of Nevada City, California; daughter Suzi Stretton of Sierra Madre; grandkids Amanda Burnett, Mike Stretton, Liz Carlton, and Wyn Carlton; sister Maggie Clements and brothers Bert Pedigo and Jesse Pedigo; and family members Bob Burnett and Michael Stretton.  Nan was preceded in death by her mother Alice and her daughter Sheri Burnett.

The Carlton family will hold a graveside service for Nan at Pioneer Cemetery on Saturday, January 2^nd at 11am January 2016.  There will be a reception immediately following tat the home of John and Linda Knowles.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made in Nan’s name to the Friends of Sierra Madre Library, PO Box 334, Sierra Madre,California 91025. Or, as Nan would say: “Just get involved!”