Carol Anne Digardi

August 20, 1940 – July 3, 2025

Carol Digardi, nee Carol Barsky, our beloved Mother, Grama Baba, Auntie, and Friend to many, passed away peacefully at Island Eldercare on Vashon Island, Washington. She lived on Vashon Island for the past two and a half years to be closer to family and to interact with the thriving Arts community there.

Carol was born and raised in Long Beach, CA, and grew up enjoying the sun, surf, and the vibrant arts, music and dance scene in the area. She was a gifted artist, and her talents were discovered at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where she was recognized and enrolled into a special program to enhance her skills as a painter. Carol then attended University of Washington School of Art and graduated in 1962, along side of popular contemporary artist and friend, Chuck Close, who nicknamed her “Lady Rembrandt.” She met and married her first husband, Alan Thal, while attending University, and then went to graduate school at UW for her teaching license. She and Alan had two children, Kimberly and Sherri Thal, and eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay Area to work and raise their children. They divorced after thirteen years of marriage, and later, Carol wed Edward Digardi, Jr., with whom she had a long and adventurous marriage until his death in 2021.

Carol taught Art and Special Education to middle and high school students for over 40 years and was the Director of CASOLS, a private day school for special needs students in the South Bay Area. She was recognized and awarded by the State of California for her “Learning by Doing” curriculum that she developed for the school. Carol was a tireless helper to all people. She championed for the underdog, and also painted and wrote beautiful political statements throughout her life.

Carol was an amazing, huge personality who was hilarious, intelligent, talented, and most of all, incredibly caring and generous with all living things. She truly loved animals, had many, and cared for Junior, her one-of-a-kind, beloved service dog, for thirteen years until his passing in March. She was a wonderful and devoted Mother and Baba, and we will miss her dearly. Carol is survived by her two daughters, her grandchildren, Lily and Benny Robinthal, and many cousins. We are devastated by her passing, but are joyous for her that she is free of the body and mind that could no longer serve her immense heart and spirit.