Carol Ann Scharf

Carol Ann (Crook) Scharf was born December 25, 1940, in Logansport, IN, daughter of Lucille (Clancy) and Myron Crook. She died February 28, 2026, in Fort Collins, CO, where she had made her home since 1971. Carol spent her school-age years in Longview, Washington, where she was a student, musician, and student government leader. She was Queen of the May, Girls Club President, and Dance Band Pianist.

Music was Carol's first language. As an accomplished pianist, she played the Classical and Baroque canon, Jazz, Broadway musical scores, and Pop. She loved it all. Carol earned a BA in Music at Colorado State University in 1976. She did her student teaching at Stove Prairie School, substituted at Timnath Elementary, and assumed her position as Music Teacher at Tavelli Elementary in 1978. Her Christmas and Spring Music Concerts were joyous events for students, staff, and parents.

Carol was an intuitive naturalist who loved the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the natural world. She loved people deeply and could not bear an unkind word. She attenuated sorrow and amplified joy. Carol was quick to smile, with blue eyes that sparkled, and a hug that healed. Quite simply a beautiful person.

Carol was at heart a homemaker. She was happiest at home with her family. She loved to play her piano, cook, sew, garden, and putter contentedly around her house. She was born to be a mother and a grammy. She raised her children to understand that family is life's most important asset. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Louis, her children Greg Scharf (Margaret), Heidi Scharf Donovan (Sam), grandchildren Nathalie Scharf Crawford (Cody), Caley Donovan, and Max Scharf, great-grandchildren Ellison and Malcolm Crawford, and her dog little darlin' Suzy-Q.

Carol's favorite nonprofits were Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund, Food Bank of Larimer County, and NOCO Humane.