Carol Joyce Levenstein Torelli

Carol was born October 23, 1943, in Los Angeles to Fae and Ben Levenstein. She eagerly welcomed the arrival of brother Marc a few years later, and grew up alongside the beloved family dogs Bonnie, one of Lassie’s collie pups, and Buffy, a purebred rapscallion.

Carol graduated from Dorsey High School having been a member of the Pep Club, the Secretaries President, and played violin in youth orchestras including the LA Junior Philharmonic. Setting the tone for a full and active life, of which she never slowed down.

In 1965, she graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in elementary education and embarked on a teaching career at Crescent Heights Elementary School and later as a Fullbright teacher in Guildford, England. After her Fulbright year she traveled extensively in Europe, a place to which she would return with her husband John after his retirement.

Carol met John Torelli, the love of her life, one evening at Tom Bergin’s Irish Pub in Los Angeles and they were married in 1974. In 1976 they moved to Palos Verdes where they would build their lives, welcoming the arrival of Catherine and a few years later their son Stephen.

Throughout her life, Carol was a dedicated volunteer, beginning in 1976 with the Torrance Courthouse Docents and continuing with various PTAs, the Assistance League of San Diego with Catherine, the American Association of University Women, and the Palos Verdes Library. She was a vibrant member of Readers Theater Group and the Pennyroyals, and with her husband John, also was a member of the Stanford Alumni Group, Los Paisanos dance group,and a film group. A voracious reader and music lover-especially Jazz, Carol belonged to various book clubs and she and John enjoyed musical performances throughout the South Bay.

In between committee meetings, Carol and John traveled extensively throughout California, the US, and Europe. Carol and family enjoyed annual trips to Carmel, Lake Tahoe, and the Mammoth Jazz Jubilee to visit with family and friends. She planned wonderful European holidays, ensuring that she and John took in as much history, culture, and food as two people could.

Carol always put her family first. She was a loving and patient wife and mother even when asked what is for dinner for the 22nd time. She was an exceptional baker, a thoughtful letter writer, and loved decorating the house for every season and holiday. She stayed active with strength classes and beach walks with her friend Judy, unfailingly every week. She was always learning new things, gracious with her time, and possessed a wry sense of humor. Carol is survived by husband John, children Catherine (Antone) and Stephen, her oldest friend-brother Marc, and Beacon, the most recent family dog she said we didn’t need, but adored once she was underfoot.

The burial will be Monday, November 17th at 2:00pm at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date for the community she built to share memories.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any organization that is meaningful to you, or to one of the organizations that were such a huge part of Carol’s life: the Assistance League of San Pedro South Bay or the American Association of University Women, Palos Verdes Peninsula Branch.