Joan Lorraine Carsola

Joan Lorraine Carsola
April 23rd, 1926 – October 16th, 2019

It all began when Oehm Jacob Breunig married Dorothy Richardson. Their first baby was Joan Breunig, born on April 23, 1926, followed by Edward (Eddie) Breunig, Joan’s little brother.

Dorothy Breunig died of pneumonia, leaving the two young children in the care of their father. Oehm later met and married Corrine, a wonderful mother to Joan and Eddie. Oehm and Corrine were blessed with five more children: George, David, Steve, Paul, and Jeannie.

Joan met her future husband Alfred Carsola at USC in 1946 at the campus Catholic Newman Club. Alfred had returned to college after having served four years as a US Army officer in the Pacific Theatre of WWII. They got married on June 21st 1947. They both moved to San Diego when Alfred was hired as an Oceanographer/Geologist for the US Navy’s Naval Electronics Lab, NEL. He later received his doctorate of oceanography from the Scripps Institute of Marine Research. He retired from the Army Reserve as a major in 1962. Joan and Alfred were blessed with eight children. Alfred was a wonderful father and provider for his family. Joan was completely dedicated to her children, and made sure that they were learned in the arts, and that they kept up with their school education and religious life. Joan was active with the Catholic Church, and dedicated her life to charitable activities, and religious education.

In 1948 she began her involvement with the Unwed Mothers program of Catholic Charities in San Diego. The program was under the direction of Fr. Burns and a Sister from Social Services. Joan would make layettes for the young mothers receiving help from this charity. She became an apostolate in the church, and started an organization called the Matrons of Charity. Other activities that she was involved with include: The Legion of Mary in Sepulveda, religious education of Catholic youth (CCD), and adult education with her friend Marylyn Marshall. She was a member of the Spiritual Life Institute, and entered the Carmelite Third Order. She eventually became a professed member of the Order of the Carmelites, and has founded many Carmelite communities in the San Diego area.

After Alfred passed away in 2004, Joan centered her life on her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the church.