Mary Alyce Carlson

Mary Hencken Carlson, 92, of Sacramento, CA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 18, 2025. Born in 1932 in San Diego to William and Sally Carew, Mary lived a long, full life marked by love, compassion, and humor. Mary was a life-long teacher extending over 40 years at Marvin Marshall and Coyle Avenue Elementary Schools in Carmichael. Teaching was more than a profession, it was her absolute calling enriching countless young lives. Her love of hats was her trademark and her garden was a place for contentment where she found great happiness digging the earth and making the yard come alive with color for all to enjoy. She is survived by her blended family of six children, Sally, Bob, Christy, Danny, Tom, Cindy, 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and treasured nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Hencken (1958), Kenneth Carlson (2000), parents Bill and Sally, and brother Patrick. A Rosary/Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish at 10:30 am, with friends and family invited to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Our Lady of the Assumption Food Locker.