It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our mother Carol Lee Ashamalla.

Carol passed away peacefully at her home in Santa Barbara on July 16, 2026, surrounded by her family, after a courageous 11-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Carol was born in Lima, Ohio, on Oct. 25, 1938, the oldest of three, born to Earl and Doris Watt. Her sister Linda Hartoon and brother Robert Watt preceded her in death.
 
A natural beauty inside and out, Carol graduated from St. Gerard’s High School in 1957, where she was crowned homecoming queen.

She went on to Mt. St. Joseph’s College in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she earned her AA degree.

In 1960, she married her first husband Martin O’Brien, but tragically, he passed away just two years later after a short battle with cancer.



Carol found herself at a crossroads: join the Peace Corps, or go back to school. She chose school, heading to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she earned her BA in sociology with a minor in psychology.
 
It was at Marquette that she met Mounir R. Ashamalla, DDS, known to everyone as “Ash.” She was an undergrad; he was in dental school and new to this country from Cairo, Egypt.

They fell in love, and married in 1965 in a small ceremony in Los Angeles, attended only by her parents and a few siblings, officiated by Carol’s uncle Fr. Joseph Watt.

Our Dad liked to describe her as “5’ 2” and beautiful eyes of blue.” … So began the sweet story of the “immigrant and the widow.”
 
Carol and Ash wasted no time; they packed up and drove from Milwaukee to San Francisco in Carol’s beloved 1964 VW Bug, which she’d bought brand new for $1,200. That ruby-red bug is still in the family today.

In San Francisco, Carol worked as a social worker for the county and they welcomed their first child Nicole in 1966.

The young family lived in a small apartment while Ash finished oral surgery school at UCSF, and then made their way to Santa Barbara, where he opened his practice and they truly put down roots. 
 
The next 25 years was all about raising three kids, and spending time with friends and family — carpools, activities, travel, and helping her kids find their way in the world.

Along the way, Carol found time to volunteer with organizations like CALM and The Assistance League, and she served on the board of the Friendship Center for several years.
 
Carol and Ash loved to travel, and they had a wonderful circle of friends with whom to explore the world. Trips to the Middle East, Switzerland and Australia were among her favorites, and she never missed a chance to send a postcard home.

Closer to home, family trips to China Peak, Lake Tahoe and Lake Nacimiento hold a special place in the family’s hearts.
 
Carol also had a beautiful group of women friends she loved. She was a good friend to everyone, and she knew how lucky she was to have such wonderful friends.
 
A devoted and lifelong Catholic, her faith was the foundation of her life.

Carol was sweet, kind, and loved animals. For the past 55 years there has always been a dog or two in her home.

Even at the end of her illness when she could no longer speak, she remained sweet and loving. With a nod and a faint smile, we always knew she loved us.
 
Carol was enthusiastic about her health and wellness, whether it was Jazzercise in the ’80s, Step class in the ’90s, or Curves in the ’00s, she loved to stay active.
 
In her later years, Carol carried an envelope of her grandkids’ photos in her purse everywhere she went. She was always eager to show friends recent photos when asked — and maybe even when not asked.

In either case she lit up when speaking of her grandkids, as being a Grandma was a source of great joy to her.
 
Carol is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dr. Mounir Ashamalla; their children Nicole Bates (Steve), David Ashamalla (Shannon), and Greg Ashamalla (Lauren). She also leaves behind six precious grandchildren Owen Bates, Shaelyn and Stella Ashamalla, and Lola, Julian and Sonny Ashamalla.
 
The family is deeply grateful to Assisted Hospice of Santa Barbara and Carol’s devoted caregivers, whose compassionate care allowed her to stay at home for the last four years of her life with dignity and grace.

A mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 1300 East Valley Road, with a graveside blessing under a shady tree at Santa Barbara Cemetery in Montecito immediately following.

In honor of Carol, please hug your family tight and remind them how much you love them.