Carol Ann Hjellming

Carol Ann Hjellming, 86, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on November 4, 2024. She was born on June 7, 1938 in Dubuque, Iowa to James Edward Johnson and Margaret Lucile (Steil) Johnson. Raised on the north side of Chicago, she also lived in Williams Bay, Wisconsin; Cleveland, Ohio; Charlottesville, Virginia; Socorro, New Mexico; and Albuquerque.

Carol was known for being a good friend and gregarious person; a reader, a quilter, a birder, a traveler, a dancer, and a great Mom. She volunteered her time and energy throughout her adult life and was passionate about a variety of issues. She helped several people in Socorro learn English and gain their US citizenship. At La Vida Llena, she was deeply involved in Fiber Arts, including Quilts of Valor and groups that made bibs for LVL residents in Healthcare and pillowcases for children in the PICU at UNM. She found community among quilters, readers, and travelers.

Carol was deeply proud of her children Michael (Kathleen) Hjellming of Cherryville, North Carolina; Marya (Albert, "her favorite son-in-law") Hjellming-Sena of Albuquerque; Tom (Becky) Hjellming of Wheaton, Illinois; Pete (Mary) Hjellming of Bellbrook, Ohio; and Teresa Hjellming of New Delhi, India. Her legacy lives on in her grandchildren Eric (Jess) Hjellming of Indianapolis, Indiana, and their son Lucas; Andrew (Alex) Hjellming of Palm Coast, Florida, and their daughter Sophia; Kelsey (Derek) Sena of Albuquerque and their son Arius; Danny Hjellming of West Lafayette, Indiana; and Nick Hjellming of Bellbrook, Ohio.

Carol attended the University of Chicago and studied English, where she met her husband and started a family. She returned to study at New Mexico Tech years later, earning a General Studies degree followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She worked at the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources and was the technical editor of New Mexico Geology as well as serving in a leadership position with the Association of Earth Science Editors.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Robert M. Hjellming, her parents, and her sister Avis. She is survived by her five children, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and her sister Sheila Novak of Naperville, Illinois.

A service will be held at FRENCH-Wyoming on Monday, November 18. A public viewing option will be from 9:30 a.m, followed by the service at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel. All who want to remember Carol are welcome. If you wish, donations can be made to your local public library or the Special Olympics New Mexico. A celebration of life will be held at La Vida Llena at a later date.