Dear Larry,

For some reason we were not able to connect to the memorial yesterday, but we join you and everyone else who is grieving the loss of Carla.  We first met Carla when we invited her to come to New Theatre, in Coral Gables, for a playreading of “Who Cares?: The Washington-Sarajevo Talks.”  When we founded our theatre, one of our mandates was to support and explore new plays, and the reading was met with great enthusiasm by our audience.  

And, during that process, Carla stayed with us in our home and a friendship was born.  Then, later when we visited Seattle and were able to meet you and catch up with Carla, our friendship continued.  

Carla was warm and engaging, and her voice was an important one for social awareness and change.  Receiving emails of her posts reminded us always how important it is to stand with courage and not remain silent in the face of challenge and injustice.   She certainly lived by the conviction of "see something, say something."   We will miss her voice and her big heart.

Rafael and Kimberly de Acha

Larry, I am so sorry for your loss and, indeed, the nation and world's loss. Carla was a brilliant voice and inspiration. I'm thinking of you,

Gerry Pollet

Dear Larry,

I got to the Zoom party right at 1500 your time, and Zoom told me that it was waiting for the host to start the meeting. After waiting for about a minute I logged off. I don’t think we ever met - I knew Carla through theater, and she would have understood that I would have been in a theater this afternoon.

I was sorry to learn of her passing. She had a lucid voice in her writing.

Carry on.

Joe

Years back, my wife and I first met Carla and Larry aboard Holland America cruise liner Amsterdam, on a wonderful cruise to Alaska, out of Seattle. Of course, it was fantastic, we all strolled the decks, talked and yaked, laughed, and involved ourselves in social activities sponsored by the activities directors employed by the ship. Being natural hams, we all played roles in the ship's all-passenger Song and Dance Show, presented toward the end of the cruise! Carla played a "grapette," with other gals including Phyllis my wife, in a dance to, "Heard It Through the Grapevine," Larry, I think played Frank Sinatra. in a lip-syc,  and I tried to impersonate Elvis in with lip-sync! It was all such silliness, but so much fun!

At Cruise end, we exchanged contacts, and this “contact” became a lifelong avocation of e-mail, literature, friendship, exchange of ideas, love of history and writing, reading of Carla’s essays, pieces, books, and plays—all done over the net, Medium, and some research. All the Christmas cards, the sharing of family exploits and activities became a friendship and exploration of shared interests, and a wonderful experience, all in writing, with  wonderful people, Carla, and her husband Larry. Wow, all of that, just from one cruise! Of course, Carla was unusual: she was incredible. 

When she addressed me via e-mail about some point of literature or history, she called me “Chetters.” She had a way of acknowledging people, and looking for the good and positive in their description, analysis, or hypothesis. We loved knowing her and Larry! She will be sorely missed. 

Chet and Phyllis Chebegia 

A voice of reason, justice for all, ethical behavior, verbal clarity and deep intellect has been silenced. Larry, I'm so sorry for your...and our...loss. I'm in Minnesota, and will miss joining with you all in celebrating Carla's life today.

Paul Borg

I only had the pleasure of meeting Carla in person two or three times, but I came to know her through her writing. Like all my favorite essayists, she had a personal confidence about her opinions that let you know they'd been long considered. What's more, she never gave the impression of talking down to audience--she approached big ideas with humility, but also willing to pop a few inflated arguments.  

Best of all, in a world of scolding finger-waggers, Carla led with empathy and humor, and with an optimism sorely lacking in the world right now.

I will miss her writing, as will many others. My deepest sympathies for those who knew and loved her as a clearly exceptional person.

It has been many years since i'd seen Carla but she has stayed with me.  A remarkable spirit - both mind and soul.   I celebrate a lover of words and wisdom.

patsy

Carla and I met through a women's book club in Tacoma.  Not only did I value her takes on the books we read, I took to heart something she said she learned from her graduate school roommate in Rome: respond to a person offering an opinion different from mine with, "Oh, that's very interesting; what makes you think that?"  I can't begin to tell you how many times that question has spared me from a contentious argument!

Somewhere along the line, Carla learned that I lived in  Steilacoom, so she asked if by any chance I knew one of her favorite teachers and early encourager at Chehalis High School.  Carla's favorite teacher turned out to be my friend and neighbor, the wife of a colleague, and the mother of one of my daughter's very best friends!  I was delighted to be able to provide her address and phone number so that they re-connected!

Since the covid shutdown and the recurrence of her cancer, I wasn't able to see Carla in person, but I always read her essays online, and mulled them over long afterwards.  Her spirit will help me persevere through the next few difficult years.  Blessings on you, Larry, for your loving care of Carla! 

We first met Carla summer 1975 when she visited her  Dad Carl's parents' homeland Finland. It was easy to make friends with Carla as she took a great interest in her family background and she had an open mind as seasoned travellers often do.

Carla was more than a friend, she was part of our Lehtivuori (Lofberg in English) family. 1975 marks the year from which grew a deep lifelong friendship with a lively correspondence to the end. We also met several times over the years. In 1977 we were happy to be guests at Carla's and Larry's wedding, in 1992 our daughter Tuuli was with us when we visited Carla's parents Carl and Millie. 

Carla was a vastly read person who spread her wisdom in splendid writing. She was a person whose kind is in great demand in turbulent times we now witness all over the world.  

Carla darling, we will never forget you. Thank you for everything you gave us.

Ursula, Juhani and Tuuli

Carla was a remarkable woman who fought for justice for everyone through her writings, her articles, and her books.

Her writing reflected her genuine care for all people and for democracy.

We celebrate the impact she left on all of us who had the privilege of reading her literary work. Carla gave us hope that hearts can be changed for the better and our world can change through compassion and a deep sense of dignity and justice for all.