Carolyn passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026, in Reno, Nevada. Carolyn lived in South Lake Tahoe, California, with her husband of 63 years, George Ramirez, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, George; her two sons, Chris and Scott Ramirez; her grandsons, Bobby and Emerson Ramirez; and her sister, Frances Pierce; as well as their extended families, nephews, and nieces.
Born Carolyn Ruth Wahl in November 1942 in Sacramento, she spent her early summers at her grandfather’s cabin on the beach in Homewood, California. Carolyn loved time at the beach with her sisters at Homewood and riding in their father’s 30’ Garwood, Playtime, to Tahoe City to watch movies. The Wahl family was at Homewood for the 1960 Olympics and recalls seeing skiers in the nearby woods. Lake Tahoe has always been at the heart of her family and where she was happiest to be.
Carolyn later attended Sacramento State with the goal of becoming a teacher when she met George Ramirez through mutual friends. Carolyn left college and married George and traveled the world with two kids in tow. The family was stationed in: Sacramento, California; Little Rock, Arkansas; Shreveport, Louisiana; Guam; Soesterberg, the Netherlands; Atwater, California. In 1979, after George retired from the Air Force, the family decided to return to Carolyn’s childhood summer home and settled in nearby South Lake Tahoe. Carolyn worked locally at South Tahoe High School as a Teacher’s Aide, where she was given the nickname “Shorty”. She retired after 22 years with the school district. Aside from her family and friends, her former students were a true highlight for her. She loved running into them and seeing how they had grown.
Carolyn is fondly remembered for her consistently positive spirit and her refusal to accept hard outcomes. She always managed to find a way forward with an optimistic outlook and a steadfast resolve that hard work would see the family through. She cherished her family and lived for family gatherings—Thanksgiving in Homewood and Christmas with her loved ones were her favorite times of year.
Carolyn will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Charity of your choice. A memorial is planned for Carolyn on October 14, 2026, at Happy Homestead Cemetery, where her ashes will be interred. Please contact Scott Ramirez at (530) 613-8995 if you are interested in attending the memorial.