This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Steven Carpenter, 81, born on June 21,1936 to Carmen Pereida and Joseph Carpenter, and passed away on October 13, 2017.Steve spent his formative years at the Nazareth’s Residence for Boys in the San Fernando Valley and graduatedfrom Loyola High School. He matriculated at Loyola University where he earned degrees in psychology and teaching credentials. He was a commissioned officer in the Air Force where he completed pilot training and was in the first Air Force class to graduate with both propeller and Jet plane training. His favorite flying experience was in the T–38 where he enjoyed doing acrobatic moves. Late in his service career he was assigned as the weapons director at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. He left the East Coast in 1965 with his first (now deceased) wife Shirley and their new baby to settle in Inglewood, California. After a short assignment with the El Segundo School District a school psychologist, Steve accepted a position with LAUSD as a math teacher at Webster Middle School where he remained for 28 years until his retirement. During his teaching career he enlightened 4200 children about the marvels of math. In 1994 Steve married Mary Grace and lived happily in Westchester until they moved to Laguna Woods in 2013. Steve loved to dance and took flamenco lessons. His favorite pastime was playing tennis or watching it on TV. Everyone who knew Steve enjoyed his sense of humor. As his memory started failing, he told us the same Air Force story repeatedly and we enjoyed it every time. Steve’s booming teacher voice and infectious laughter will be missed by everyone. Steve loved to travel and his favorite trip was cruising through the Panama Canal. Steve lost his courageous fight with Alzheimer’s disease on Friday, October 13, 2017 at 8:35 am. He was surrounded by his devoted wife of 23 years Mary Grace, and their daughters Lisa, Michelle and Lynne. He is also survived by daughters Marianne, Jacqueline, Katharine (husband,Steve Killgore) and sister, Joann, and brother, John (wife, Colleen).
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 4 p.m. at the Village Greens (Gate 12), 24112 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, California 92637. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s name to: Alzheimer’s Orange County (www.alzoc.org), Companion Hospice (www.companionhealthgroup.com) or a charity of your choice.
We will remember him forever.
Tributes
Leave a tributeWe're so sorry to hear of Steve's passing, may he rest in peace. It was a shock. We didn't know Steve all that well, but what we did know of him, he was a really friendly guy. Sending our deepest sympathy to you, Gracie. You are going to miss him so much, may the Lord keep you in his loving hands during this difficult time.
I went to Laughflin recently and thought of you as I choose my keno numbers. Because you taught me fundamental math like algebra and more progressive math like logistics. I could play a variety of casino games. Further more I was able to understand the stock market in algebra two trig geometrics and other gateways to math. I love you so much and will miss you forever.Your teaching skills that turned into my math skills I will benefit from always out in the big world of math...
Lots of love and hugs,
Your daughter Marianne
Even though we didn't see you both often, I have such fond memories of you both and your girls. Steve was such a special soul full of life ad laughter. You and Steve were always so charismatic and loving and fun to be around. My prayers are with you at this most challenging time. Sending you big hugs and lots of love. Lillian
Michelle, Martin, Jack & Andrew
face every time we look up at the bright stars in the night sky. The memories of the special love you shared will return each day to bring comfort to our broken hearts. Even death won’t part us now!
His big smile was omnipresent. I used to play tennis with him
and he graciously aimed the ball right in to my racquet. He took pride
in his appearance and always looked dapper. Grace & Steve were
lucky to have each other. I will always remember you Stveve.
Fondly,Mark Uslander
Leave a Tribute
We're so sorry to hear of Steve's passing, may he rest in peace. It was a shock. We didn't know Steve all that well, but what we did know of him, he was a really friendly guy. Sending our deepest sympathy to you, Gracie. You are going to miss him so much, may the Lord keep you in his loving hands during this difficult time.
I went to Laughflin recently and thought of you as I choose my keno numbers. Because you taught me fundamental math like algebra and more progressive math like logistics. I could play a variety of casino games. Further more I was able to understand the stock market in algebra two trig geometrics and other gateways to math. I love you so much and will miss you forever.Your teaching skills that turned into my math skills I will benefit from always out in the big world of math...
Lots of love and hugs,
Your daughter Marianne
LMU Steve's 50th Reunion
The first thing I had to do with Steven was almost exactly thirty years ago. In November 1987 I started kindergarten at Walgrove Elementary School. I was a child with Asperger's who did not like doing other little kid activities in class and who preferred to sit on my own at a table and write down mathematical series, much to the dislike of the teacher. She could not understand what I was doing, so she called Marygrace, who was working with district students with special needs. She did not understand the math either, so she showed my work to Steven, who was then a colleague of hers, and he realized that I was essentially doing algebra.
It was not until eleven years later that I finally met Steven. At that time I was at Venice High School and Marygrace was still working with me. Venice was not a place where I was able to make any good friends and I kept telling Marygrace that I want to transfer out of that school. She did not think it was a good idea, but she did know of someone who could be my friend, and that was Steven's daughter and her stepdaughter Marianne. Even though I was 16 and she was 23, we became good friends, much better friends than I was with anyone at Venice at that time.
Marianne has remained a good friend of mine ever since then and someone whom I regularly would go to visit along with Grace and Steven. When they were my neighbors in Westchester, I would still go and visit them all the time and come to their various events. It has become a bit more difficult ever since they moved to Laguna Woods and I moved in the other direction, but I have still mamaged to see them and Marianne every so often. The last time I saw them was this past March and Steven, despite being 80, still appeared to be in a good shape. He always appeared younger than he really was, in my opinion. Then in June Grace told me that he has Alzheimer's and about his mood changes. Even though he would no longer be the same, I still thought he would last longer than he did and I could not believe he was gone so soon.