Lorella Noreen (Gillogly) Carlton

Lorella Noreen (Gillogly) Carlton passed unexpectedly on February 12, 2020 at age 74.

She was born in Longview, WA to Donald and Doreen Gillogly on August 29, 1945. She attended Carrolls Elementary School and Kelso High School.

She married her high school sweetheart, James Ernest Carlton on August 27, 1966. They moved to San Jose, California where Jim worked for IBM as a Computer Programmer Engineer. Lorella received her Associate of Science degree in Medical Assisting from West Valley College and worked for a local physician and as a school health aide for many years in San Jose.  They enjoyed family vacations to Lake Tahoe, camping along the Pacific coast, and attending Stanford football games.  Jim and Lorella had a strong Christian faith and were longtime members of Bethel church in San Jose.

They returned to the Pacific Northwest, Gig Harbor, Washington in 1996 to get back to their roots and be closer to family. In 2009, Lorella lost her husband (Jim) of 43 years and began a new journey.  At first it was very hard for her but slowly she learned to enjoy life again.  She bought her dream condo with a view of the harbor, she loved to spend time with her daughters and grandkids, she had a wonderful group of supportive friends and family, she enjoyed attending church, she had an amazing green thumb, loved to feed her birds, was an avid reader, loved lighthouses and the beach, she loved Michael Buble and George Strait, she loved to travel, she had an annual girls trip to New Mexico with her sisters for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, her favorite color was turquoise and anything with “bling”, she was an amazing Mom and would do anything for her girls. Growing up she was an amazing seamstress and always made matching outfits for her girls, she was known for her legendary deviled eggs that were always a special request at family gatherings. Lorella was given a second chance at love and met Bryan Turner at a church grief group they both attended for people who had lost spouses and it was wonderful to see her happy again. Bryan and Lorella were married on April 18, 2015 surrounded by friends and family.  They were so lucky to have found each other and spend 5 wonderful years together before Bryan passed away in February of 2017 and Lorella’s heart ached from loss once again. But just when you think that’s the end…along came Richard Prohaska and swept Lorella off her feet.  They were so happy together, travelling and planning how they would spend their golden years together. Lorella was an amazingly strong person who survived a heart attack and breast cancer all within a year and Richard was by her side through it all. Sadly, their time together was cut very short but we are so grateful for the happiness that Richard brought her.  They say you are lucky if you find love once in a lifetime but to find it 3 times!  Just goes to show you that you are NEVER to old to live happily ever after! Everyone who knew her and loved her affectionately called her “Rella”.  Grandma Rella has left a huge hole in all of our hearts and she will be greatly missed! Thank you for filling our lives with love. We will keep your heart inside of ours.

Lorella was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2009 and Bryan in 2017.

Lorella is survived by two daughters, Cynthia (Derek) Hextell of Sacramento, CA and Janice (Josh) Kilgus of Gig Harbor, WA; grandchildren, Dylan (Summer) Kilgus, Alexander Kilgus, Zachariah Kilgus, Dallas Hextell, Dasha Hextell, Kai Hextell; great grandchildren Brayden and Cade Kilgus; brother David Gillogly of Longview, WA and sisters Gail (John) Tunberg, Corrales, NM and DeeAnn (Doug) Perler, Everson, WA.

Sadly, at this time her Celebration of Life has had to be postponed due to COVID19.

Please leave comments on her remembrance page under the tribute wall tab.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Lorella Carlton’s name to The UC Davis Mind Institute at health.ucdavis.edu

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