Virginia Carlson

She leaves her husband, Clifford Carlson, two sons Clifford Carlson Jr. and Victor Carlson, one daughter Kimberly Abay, her son-in-law, Ahmet Abay, her daughter in-law, Shelley Carlson, three grandchildren, Jasmine Abay, Kelly Carlson, and Joshua Abay. Three brothers Ben Costabile, John Costabile, and Ernie Costabile.

Born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania on November 15, 1935, she was the eighth child of Angelina Payne and Joseph Costabile, Sr.

Her father and mother were farmers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chino, California. She helped worked on the farm when she was growing up with her siblings. The family moved to South Gate, California in 1952. She attended El Rancho High School, Pico Rivera, CA., in Whittier Union High School District. She was a straight ‘A’ student and her parents received a letter from the principal in 1953 of her achievements.

Here is a quote from the letter,

“Mrs. Louise Hilker, one of our business education instructors, has brought to my attention the fine progress Virginia has made in business subjects. In a note to this office Mrs. Hilker stated, ‘Virginia has been a most cooperative and willing worker. She has been an efficient secretary and has the ‘makings’ of a fine secretary in the future. She has helped make displays and been valuable in other ways too.’”

After graduating high school, she began a career as a secretary. She earned her short hand certificate. From February 1979 thru October 2007, she worked as a Production Control Sr. Planner at Adams Rite Mfg. Co. in CA. She was dedicated to her work and more importantly her family. Virginia worked until she was 72 years old.

While living in Pico, CA. she met her loving husband Clifford Carlson and married on March 10, 1956. They were married for 65 years this March 2021. They had three children Clifford Martin Carlson Jr., Victor Steven Carlson, and Kimberly Ann Abay. They became landlords to many and enjoyed traveling to Palm Springs and Blythe to spend leisure time together. They also enjoyed spending time together shopping for antique collectibles. No words could describe their forever love for each other.

She retired in 2007 and lived with her husband in El Monte, California for the remaining years of her life. Virginia was passionate about nutrition, cooking and baking. She was a talented chef and loved to cook and bake for her loved ones and friends and enjoyed hosting at her house. Some of her famous dishes to cook were spaghetti, meatballs, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, beef stroganoff, chicken cacciatore, carrot cake, poppy seed cake, fudge, almond roca, divinity, peanut brittle candy, and pizzelle and biscotti cookies. She loved to read about nutrition and enjoyed sharing the facts for healthy eating and cures to aliments for a long life. She had a wonderful life, and was always on the go doing something. Later in life she enjoyed talking about politics. She was a very sweet, loving, caring, and generous person for all that knew her. She was always there to lend a helping hand and was very supportive to all. She was a blessing and her memory a treasure. She is loved deep in our hearts and will be missed every day.

Memorial services will be held at the Rose Hills Mortuary at 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA. A viewing will be held November 10th at 3-7pm. SkyRose Chapel and graveside services will be November 11th at 9am. Both services are welcome to family and friends.