Carol Merriam Bockman

On May 16, 2026 Carol Merriam Bockman completed a beautiful life of 95 wonderful years.

Carol was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles James Merriam and Kathryn Cheney Merriam. She graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois, where she met her beloved husband, Ted Bockman. The couple married in 1950 and soon after moved to California following Ted’s service in the Army during the Korean War.

In 1961, the Bockman family settled in Santa Cruz, where Carol built a life centered on family, service, and community. Carol worked for the Soquel School District as a Special Education Aide for 26 years, a role she deeply cherished. Carol was also proud to serve two terms on the Santa Cruz Grand Jury. Carol was a volunteer for many years for CASA of Santa Cruz and Grey Bears of Santa Cruz. Even after retiring, she continued her work with children as an aide for Balance4Kids well into her 80s, finally retiring in 2014. Carol enjoyed yearly trips to Kauai and volunteered with Ted at the National Botanical Gardens.

One of her fondest memories was being one of the first female lifeguards on Lake Michigan.

Carol lived in the Santa Cruz Gardens neighborhood for nearly 63 years, she enjoyed the community, walks with friends, bingo, and bridge. She found her greatest joy in her family and treasured every moment with her grandchildren, whether playing games of Sorry and Scrabble, or taking peaceful walks along Seacliff Beach. Carol enjoyed playing the piano and knitting, creating Christmas stockings and blankets for her family. Carol was always known as “Grammy”, and was especially delighted to meet her first great-grandson Wyatt Bockman.

Carol is survived by her children, Charles “Chip” Bockman (Amanda), Kerry Agarpo (Ray), and Kimberly Cox (Charles); her nine grandchildren Grace, Kathryn, Nicholas, Christian, Rachel, Chris, Eric, Colin, Erin, and one great-grandchild Wyatt. She was preceded in death by her husband Ted and son Peter.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at a later date. Her ashes will be placed next to her beloved husband Ted at the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Carol may be directed to the Kathryn Cheney Merriam Scholarship in Education at UC Santa Cruz. For donation information, please email [email protected].