AUBURN – Tora Carlson Topping, 97, a resident of Schooner Estates in Auburn, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31.

She was born in Malmo, Sweden, the daughter of Hjalmar and Hildur Carlson. She came to this country with her parents at the age of eight, and settled in Jay.

She attended North Jay schools, and graduated from Jay High School in 1926. She attended the Auburn Maine School of Commerce and later received her degree in Business Education from the University of Maine at Orono.

In 1938, she married Joseph B. Topping, who died in 1988.

She taught business subjects at Sangerville High School, Lawrence High School in Fairfield, and at Rockland High School. She was and instructor at Bliss Business College in Lewiston from 1957-1972. She also taught Lewiston Adult Evening School for several years.

In retirement, she was an active member of the YWCA, where she served as an assistant in the Aquacise program. She was an active member of St. Joseph’s Church, the Maine Retired Teachers Association, and the Androscoggin Retired Teachers Association.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Topping Gevaudan, of Pittsburgh, Penn., and Barbara Topping Ferguson of Orleans, Mass.; one son, James M. Topping, of Lewiston; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She also leaves a sister, Margaret Anderson, of Derry, N.H.; her brother-in law, Francis Topping of Sanford; cousin, Irma Ericksson of Lysekil, Sweden; and extended family, both here and in Sweden.

She was predeceased by a brother, Tage Carlson.