Carol Jean Maffia

Carol Maffia, loving wife and mother of 3 children, passed away at her home in Tulare at the age of 86. Carol Jean Bigelow was born in 1938 in Petaluma, California, to Albert and Lilly Bigelow. Carol was raised and educated in Petaluma and graduated from Petaluma High in 1956. Upon graduating she went to work at Hamilton Air Force Base. She saved her wages for a year and a half and with her savings she bought a red 57 Plymouth Fury. While cruising the boulevard, Pat Maffia, who was driving a black 57 Fury and ten years older, caught her eye and the chase was on. On August 9, 1958, they married. They raised three children, Renee Avila (Fernando), Ralph (Tia), and Jeanette Freitas (Danny). In 1965 Pat and Carol started a dairy business in Santa Rosa and later that year the family and dairy moved to Sonoma. The family and dairy relocated to Tulare in 1971, and finally settled in Tipton two years later. Pat and Carol traveled extensively throughout the United States and several times to Europe. Their main mode of travel were motorhomes. Although Pat sat behind the steering wheel, Carol did her job watching the road and telling Pat where to turn and what to watch out for. They would own seven coaches during their life together and belonged to numerous RV clubs. They traveled across the U.S. several times and drove to Alaska twice. Their favorite place to go was the Oregon coast. They always spent some of their summers there crabbing. Throughout her life Carol stayed busy with many tasks. She was the dairy's book keeper, occasional tractor driver, and calf feeder. She crocheted many afghans for family and friends. A life long passion of hers were the meals around the table. She was always trying new recipes and passing on recipes to family and friends. Carol is survived by her three children and six grandchildren: Jason, Tricia, Broc, Tyler, Tabitha, and Garrick. and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother Albert Bigelow (Kathy), and sister Betty Bourdens (Bruce). A private celebration of life was held in Tulare on August 9, the date of their 67th wedding anniversary. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Carol Jean Maffia

November 12, 1938 - July 8, 2025