Carol Mohlman, a Pacific Palisades resident for over 50 years, passed away at home on Nov. 13 after a brief hospitalization. She was the foundation of a loving family life for her husband and daughters.
Carol was born in Clarksville, Arkansas, to Armil Taylor and Eugenia Bradley on April 3, 1930.
Musically inclined since childhood, she attended the College of the Ozarks and then moved to Chicago to earn a music degree. There while studying piano and living at the Three Arts Club, she was introduced to Chicago native David Mohlman.
They married in 1948 and moved to Pacific Palisades in 1958. David worked at Hughes Aircraft and the Mohlman household expanded to include two daughters, Kay and Jan, and various numbers of beloved cats.
After her children started school, Carol became the neighborhood piano teacher.
For many years, a steady stream of younger and older students would arrive for lessons on Carol’s treasured Steinway in the living room where a cat was likely to be lounging on the mantel.
Carol eventually wound down music teaching but continued to play piano for her own enjoyment. She and David were avid concertgoers and enjoyed listening to classical music at home.
Over the years, her activities in the community grew to involve a diverse cross-section of friends, neighbors and acquaintances that reflected her wide range of interests and organizational involvements.
Her first regular commitment outside the household was as a volunteer at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute.
When the feminist movement blossomed, Carol became a member of the National Organization for Women and worked actively with them from 1971-81, after which she focused on abortion rights causes at the state and national level.
After David retired, the two ventured out to Elderhostel programs held in various parts of the country during the late 1980s. In 1990 they joined UCLA Extension’s Plato Society, which became an ongoing source of intellectual and social connection.
One of Carol’s outstanding qualities was a sincere and personal interest in a wide range of people, causes and cultures, a trait she carried with her throughout her lifetime.
As her family members and friends would attest, Carol had a philosophical point of view and an offbeat sense of humor, which allowed her to see the comedic side of many situations – even the more serious ones.
Carol was an affirming, thoughtful and wise individual as mother and role model, and she is greatly missed.
She is survived by daughters Kay Mohlman of Malaysia and Jan Mohlman of New York City and brother David Taylor of Clarksville, Arkansas.
Following her wishes, there was no funeral or service.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to the American Civil Liberties Union, P.O. Box 96266, Washington, D.C., 20077-7486, or to the Humane Society (866) 720-2676.
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