Carolyn Sue Hestily

Carolyn Sue Westfall was born on September 7, 1943 to Lillie Carter Westfall and Jimmie Westfall in San Jose California. Carolyn was the youngest of six children and they moved from San Jose to Visalia California when she was a toddler. She attended most of her elementary school days at Elbow Creek Elementary School through the 8th grade where she was a member of the Elbow Creek 4H Club. She then attended Redwood Highschool where she met the love of her life, William "Bud" Hestily. She was a member of the Redwood Choir and the Rally Club and she graduated in 1961 with her best friend Sharon Swanson. After high school graduation she attended and graduated from Estes Institute of Cosmetology. She became a beautician and worked for Lillie's Coiffure owned and operated by her mother, Lillie Westfall. She then worked for Estes, The Looking Glass, and The Velvet Touch. She continued to cut, color, and perm hair for the rest of her life. She married William "Bud" Hestily July 5th, 1962. She always knew that she wanted children and soon after they worked and traveled for a while. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! James "Jimmie" Logan Hestily was born on April 26, 1968. Four years later she had a beautiful baby girl! Sherri Ann Hestily was born on July 10, 1972. Unfortunately, she suffered the loss of a baby in between Jimmie and Sherri and was never forgotten. Carolyn gave up her career as a beautician to care for and be close to her family as Bud suffered from heart issues. Her sharp wit and creative mind thought of the need for a preschool for the children of Visalia and working parents. Her love for children led her to start a new career as a preschool owner/operator so she could be close to her family and provide excellent care of children in the valley. Raggedy Ann and Andy Preschool on Giddings Ave in Visalia was up and running shortly after. She owned and operated Raggedy Ann and Andy Preschool for many years then she and Bud sold the preschool and traveled for a short time. She then had a small home daycare for many years. She was fortunate to be able to care for her own granddaughter Branae Hestily and her two grandsons Blake Abbott and Jake Abbott at her home daycare. Funny how she would reflect on her life and say how she didn't feel she made a difference in life. Over many years she loved and cared for thousands of Visalia's children as they grew and were nurtured by Mom and prepared for kindergarten. Not only did she care for and watch these children she had an excellent educational curriculum and many fun and exciting crafts. (Some of which my brother and I still have in our homes today!) She cooked homemade meals daily for 36 kids a day. When cooking Chicken Noodle soup she would tuck her hands under her arms and flap her elbows like a chicken and wander around the preschool rooms, singing, "Chicken Noodle, Chicken Noodle, we all love some Chicken Noodle". The kids loved this! She was humble and beautiful inside and out. She did not know how beautiful and how instrumental she was to all of these parents and their children's lives. She made a difference in their lives and launched them into their future. She continued to have a small home daycare with 12 children a day for many years. She and Bud were able to travel across the United States with friends and family in a RV. This was one of the most memorable times of their lives as they loved camping and traveling. Soon after this trip Bud bought a new motorhome and surprised Carolyn and she was not thrilled by the money spent. Unfortunately, they were never able to travel in their new motorhome. Dad passed away shortly after in 1996 from a long battle of heart issues including a heart transplant. Carolyn continued her home daycare for several years and retired 18 years ago. She was able to retire and move into a cottage in the back of her daughter's property and continue to spend time with her grandkids. She played an integral role in raising Blake and Jake while her daughter worked 12-hour shifts. Nine years ago she moved in with her daughter and two grandsons. She was able to enjoy lunches with her granddaughter Branae and various activities with her grandsons Blake and Jake. If she did not show up at Hobby Lobby during the week they would call looking for her! She loved to shop! Most days she could be found in her "craft shop" working on various crafts including wood working, painting, drawing, and crafting. She was also very talented with her sewing machine. Many people have a wood sign, an apron, a wreath, pot holders, and or another piece of original art work from Mom. If you are lucky you still have it! She was most proud of her recently renovated garage turned apartment. She found joy and excitement in decorating her "little apartment". Her favorite piece of furniture was her beloved recliner. One of her best friends Marsha Blackwell sent her in search of the best electric recliner available and bought it for her birthday a few years ago! Carolyn unexpectedly passed away on Saturday February 26, 2022 after a short hospitalization at Stanford University in Palo Alto California surrounded by her daughter Sherri, her two grandsons Blake, Jake, God & Bud. We love you more Mom. Carolyn is survived by her son James "Jimmie" Logan Hestily and wife Pam Hestily; granddaughter Branae Hestily VanderPoel. Her daughter Sherri Hestily Abbott and grandsons Blake Abbott, and Jake Abbott. Multiple nieces and nephews. Carolyn is proceeded in death by her husband William "Bud" Hestily; Brothers, Alton Westfall, Curtis Westfall, Archie Westfall; Sisters, Onieta Westfall Talbot, Naomi Westfall Chambers. Her father Jimmie Westfall and her mother Lillie Carter Westfall; and numerous other family members. Memorial services will be held 11 AM Monday, April 4th, 2022 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Carolyn Sue Hestily

September 7, 1943 - February 26, 2022