Carla McCreary

On Saturday, February 11th, 2023, Carla McCreary, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend of many, was called home to our Lord at the age of 75.

Carla was born on May 21st, 1947 in Richmond, CA to Gail (Smith) Itsines. She graduated from Crestmoor High School and later graduated with her Accounting degree from Consumnes River College. In 1967, Carla met the love of her life, Mike McCreary, and their many adventures quickly began.
Carla and Mike lived in San Jose, California where they owned and operated a full-service Chevron station in the neighboring town of Milpitas. In 1977, the McCreary’s moved to Placerville and purchased Mother Lode Automotive and established the Mother Lode Machine Shop and Mother Lode Mini Mart which Carla operated until retiring in 2016. Although for many years racing was their focus, Carla’s true passion and calling was rescuing many dogs and horses in need. Upon moving to Placerville, she fulfilled her promise to her daughter and brought home their first horse with many to follow. Over the years you could easily find anywhere from 2-5 horses happily roaming the property, some of them were even retired racers themselves. Carla was an active volunteer of Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, going back to the beginning when first established, and was known to be the voice of the dogs. Her bios, written from the dogs’ perspective, told their stories with honesty and empathy, helping people see deep into their souls. Over the years she lost count of the number of dogs she fostered (or foster-failed), seeing many through heartworm treatment calling her home the Heartworm Hotel. Along with others like her dear Humphrey, born with Hydrocephalus, through the lifelong challenges that accompany it. She gave generously and unselfishly of herself to all, both two-legged and four.

In 2015, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and quickly went into remission by Fall of 2016, where she also celebrated the start of retirement. Although she was retired, her social calendar quickly filled as she was an active member of the Logtown Literates, Logtown Bloomers, and spent countless hours with her beloved friends and family as well as attending functions at her church, Light of the Hills Lutheran Church.

Sadly in 2019 the cancer came back but in true Carla fashion she was ready for the fight. One cancer couldn’t overpower her, so a second one was put into play. And then, it became three cancers against one. While this battle is lost, the war was already won as she got to live 6 more years following her first diagnoses spending as much time with her friends and family and ultimately meeting her first great grandchild.

2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good and noble fight; I have finished the race and I have kept the faith.”