Carlene E. (Carlson) Garretson

Webster, MA...Carlene E (Carlson) Garretson, 73, formerly of Whitinsville, MA and Middlesex, NJ died at home. Her beloved husband John M "Milt" Garretson, Jr passed in 2001. She is survived by a son, Gary Garretson, and his wife Stacy, of Yardley, PA, a daughter, Ruth Garretson Cameron, and her husband Kirk, of Freeport, ME, a brother, Allan E. Carlson, and his wife Deborah, of Maine and North Carolina, five grandchildren, Conner, Rebecca and Chase Cameron, Brett and Brooke Garretson and several nephews and nieces.

Mrs. Garretson was born in Worcester, MA, May 1, 1943, the daughter of Carl Einar and Sigrid (Ottoson) Carlson. She grew up in Whitinsville, and lived in Middlesex, NJ  for over 48 years prior to moving to Webster in 2013.

Mrs Garretson was confirmed at Bethel/St Mark's Lutheran church in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and was a long time member of Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Somerville, NJ.

She was a 1960 graduate of Northbridge High School. She earned her Bachelor's Degree at Upsala College and was a member of the Chi Delta sorority. She continued her graduate studies at Keane State and Rutgers University.

Mrs. Garretson was a middle school English teacher at Central Middle School in Middlesex, NJ when she met her future husband. She took time off from teaching in the classroom to raise her children and continued private tutoring. She was an active member of the Junior Women's club. She returned to teaching again at Von E. Mauger Middle School and later at Lamont school in Bound Brook where she taught Title 1. She was a life long learner and a voracious reader, qualities she instilled in her children and grandchildren. She touched many lives through her teaching and tutoring before finishing her career as a tutor at the Sylvan Learning Center in Warren NJ and retiring to her home in Webster, MA in 2013.

Mrs. Garretson enjoyed country music, everything Swedish, traveling to local historic sites, playing Hearts and socializing with family and friends. She was a rabid Red Sox fan and was able to convert her NJ born Yankee fan husband over to the Sox. She enthusiastically celebrated their World Series wins in 2004, 2007 and 2013.

Nana, as she was called by her grandchildren, was an avid fan of her kids' and grandkids' sports, tirelessly trekking the kids to baseball/ softball and swimming. She endured many cold rainy athletic events cheering for her grandkids from the sidelines and delighted in witnessing/ hearing about their accomplishments. Her family was her pride and joy. She realized her dream of converting the family lake house built by her father and her uncles into her year round residence. She enjoyed boating and kayaking and delighted in hosting friends and family at her little piece of heaven on Earth. She was dearly loved and will be dearly missed.

Mrs. Garretson's Funeral Service will be held at 6:30 PM, Thursday, June 9, at the Carr Funeral Home. Calling Hours will be Thursday, June 9, from 5-6:30 PM.  Burial and a public graveside celebration of life will be at the Bound Brook Presbyterian Cemetery, Bound Brook, NJ,  Saturday, June 11, at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701