Carrie Carstairs passed away in her home in Prescott Arizona on the morning of Friday, May 8th. She was 35 years old. Carrie’s big energy and vibrant passion for the things she cared about impacted everyone she knew. Carrie grew up on Vashon Island and lived many of her adult years as a well-loved trainer, mentor and riding instructor in Kirkland, WA.  She was a rider with rare talent, a spirited competitor whether in the saddle or in conversation and she had an unbelievable way with the wild animals she cared for and loved so deeply in her work as a keeper at the sanctuary.

Thank you to Vashon friends who have sent us prayers, thoughts, and special memories of Carrie. If you would like to do something to honor her, please make a donation in her name to the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary in Prescott, Arizona. You can donate directly from the

homepage of their website, http://www.heritageparkzoo.org, or make

a donation to Vashon Island Pet Protectors.

She leaves in her wake Jim, Jeri Jo and Lisa Carstairs and Jen, Mike and Coulter Verharen. She will be missed as much as she was loved.

Paid Obituary.