On September 16, 2019, Carolyn Harnach passed away peacefully at the Westminster Place retirement community in Evanston, Illinois at the age of 97. Predeceased by her husband of 31 years, James, she will be greatly missed by her daughters Carolyn (John) and Ann (George), and by her grandchildren Lucas and Abra, along with relatives and friends.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Carolyn also lived in Michigan, New York and Illinois during her childhood. She attended Lawrence University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. During WWII, she worked with the American Red Cross in Chicago and the Newspaper Commission of the War Labor Board. She later received her master's degree in teaching from Valparaiso University and a certification in guidance counseling from Purdue University.

Carolyn was a teacher and guidance counselor in the Porter County, Indiana school system for many years, as well as at Purdue University North Central and Indiana University Northwest. She tutored immigrant in English in her 70's and 80's while living at Pines Village Retirement Community in Valparaiso, Indiana, reflecting her strong belief in the power of knowledge and equal opportunity. She was an elder at St. John's United Church in Chesterton, Indiana, and someone who lived the values that teh church embraced. She was a lover of music and sang in choirs for much of her life, including the St. John's United Church choir, and the "Sonshine Singers" at Westminster Place.

Carolyn loved to travel, adn visited many far away locales, including Alaska, Mexico, Europe, the British Isles and China. She also loved nature and animals, and over the years, rescued many an abandoned cat and dog. Her last and most beloved cat, Tigger, one those she rescued, passed away just six days before Carolyn.

The family would like to thank the staff of Westminster Place, as well as the Home Instead Senior Care aides, for the personal attention Carolyn received in her finals years. 

A service celebrating Carolyn's life will take place at Westminster Place's Elliott Chapel on November 16, 2019 at 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carolyn's name can be made to the Sierra Club.