Caron Marguerite Bartlett, age 78, passed away peacefully with her family by her side January 16, 2015 at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville, WA. She was born at home on February 6, 1936 in Los Angeles, CA to Enos and Elizabeth Culver. She graduated from Van Nuys High School and was a classmate of Robert Redford.

Caron was married to John B. Hagey in 1957. She worked as a car hop at Bob’s Big Boy drive-in in Teluca Lake & Van Nuys CA. for several years during the 1950’s. She and John lived in Van Nuys CA. She was a lady before her time. She went to the drag races with her husband and was soon racing with him & eventually taking over, becoming a top racer. She was winning races before Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, who went on to become the first lady of drag racing, began racing.

Caron was a highly competitive and fearless racer. Her children were able to meet the biggest names in racing & auto customization such as Don Prudhomme, Connie Kalitta, Ed Roth and Von Dutch.

Caron divorced John and was married to Donald E. Bartlett. Don also had a love of cars and their enthusiasm for vehicles continued. Don was in the U.S. Navy reserves and served 28 years retiring as a MCPOC (E-9). He also served for 26 years with the City of Los Angeles Fire Department retiring as a Battalion Chief. They lived in Thousand Oaks for a time and then moved to Van Nuys.

Don was doing his reserve time with the Navy in 1976 aboard the USS Ranger, visiting Puget Sound and Whidbey Island. He fell in love with Washington and they decided to retire in Oak Harbor in 1988.

Caron loved animals and rescued many over the years. She maintained a lifelong love of racing, was passionate about her horse, loved music of all kinds and had the radio on all the time at home. Her greatest passion was her family and the friends of her family. She left a great legacy of love and caring. She survived in spite of losing many family members and friends. She was a member of WAIF and the ASPCA.

Caron is survived by three children, John Hagey and Kathy of Lake Isabella, their children Shannon Hagey and great grandchildren Nick and Mattie Walker and Jonathan Palmer and Josh Hagey and wife Amanda and great grandchildren Jayden and Jayce Hagey; son Don Bartlett and wife Kellie of Stanwood, WA and grandchildren Jessica and Jamie Bartlett; and daughter Nadine Bartlett of Hollywood, CA and her daughter Zahn Mandzel.

A Celebration of Life for Caron Bartlett will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10:00am at Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor with Chaplain David G. Lura, USN(R) officiating. Cremation was held with private family interment to follow at a later date. Please visit Caron’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.

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