Carol E. Hancock
Obituary
Hancock home was center for children
Longtime Willow Glen Resident Carol E. Hancock passed away at the age of 79, after a long struggle with congestive heart failure, on March 19, 2001.
Hancock was born Dec. 7, 1921, in Minneapolis, Minn., and came to live in Santa Clara County as a child. She attended Los Gatos High School from 1936 to 1940, where she met her future husband Merit Hancock while they were both playing violin in the high school's advanced orchestra.
The two went on to attend San Jose State University together, where she graduated with a degree in psychology.
In 1942, they married, and the first of their six children was born in 1945. The Hancocks moved to Glenwood Avenue in Willow Glen in 1947. In 1955, the family moved to Westgate Avenue and in 1962, the family built a large ranch-style home at 2516 Westgate Ave.
The Hancock home became the center of social life for the children on the block. Carol Hancock was one of the early organizers of the historic annual Fourth of July block parties on Westgate and Cottle avenues, many of which took place on her front lawn.
Hancock had a deep love for children and animals, and was always willing to extend a hand to those in need, according to those who knew her.
She is survived by her six children, Noelle, Jane, Kimberly, Tom, Bill and Michael, three grandchildren and her caretaker of 10 years, Arlene Catalbas. A vigil service was held on March 25, at the Willow Glen Mortuary, and a memorial mass was held at St. Christopher's Church on March 30.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
