By Lisa Larivee, Communications, Corona Cares
Mary Jo Carlson is a native of Trufant, Michigan, the stump fence capital of the world. She raised two sons who reside in Michigan along with two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. When her children were adults, Mary Jo moved to Oregon and then to Tucson and has been in Arizona for over 40 years. She has worked for VisionQuest, Optical Electronics, and at several call centers. While working at Optical Electronics, she met and married Jack Carlson.
Jack Carlson grew up in Beverly, Massachusetts, and Poughkeepsie, New York. Jack attended Cornell University and the U of A. He was in the US Army stationed in the Panama Canal Zone and Fort Huachuchua. He worked as an electrical engineer at National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) on the U of A campus as well as Optical Electronics. Jack has a son and three grandchildren who live in Phoenix.
After Jack and Mary Jo married, Jack’s widowed mother moved from southern California to Tucson to live with them. They were in the process of building a home in Sycamore Ridge when she sadly passed away. Mary Jo enjoys reading, cribbage, backgammon, and puzzle books. She takes care of Jack and their dog Kona. Jack plays cribbage and backgammon with Mary Jo as well as paints and does jigsaw puzzles.

Jack suffered a stroke ten years ago, leaving him with partial paralysis on the right side. A friend of Mary Jo’s suggested she contact Corona Cares for assistance. They are both recipients receiving services from Corona Cares since 2012.
Because of the stroke, Jack is unable to lift his right leg up steps. Gary Youngblood, a neighbor to the Carlsons, built a ramp from the back door to the patio and yard. This gives Jack the opportunity to get some fresh air, see and hear the wildlife in and around their backyard, and simply enjoy the outdoors. Mr. Youngblood kindheartedly donated his time and the materials for this project and Lisa Larivee, Corona Cares volunteer donated an additional ramp for their front door.
Corona Cares, Neighbors helping Neighbors
Phone: (520) 395-9327 / E-Mail: coronacares@cox.net