Carolyn M Harrington

Carolyn M. Harrington, 85, of Holyoke, MA (formerly of West Springfield, East Longmeadow, and Westfield) passed away peacefully on March 1, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Carolyn was born in Westfield, MA on June 11, 1937 to Alexander and Anna (Condel) Yefko. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1955 and married Danny Syriac, the love of her life, in 1958. A tragic truck accident later that same year took Danny’s life, an event that deeply shaped and forever changed Carolyn. It was her quiet tenacity and steely resolve that led her through this painful time and would continue to serve her throughout her life. In 1963, Carolyn married the late Donald M. Harrington of Holyoke, MA and moved to Reno, NV to start a family. They had two children, Michael B. Harrington (spouse, Amanda Michael- Gus [25], Jane [23]) of San Francisco, CA and Sarah A. Harrington (spouse, Kate Morrissey) of Burlington, VT. After living in Reno during the early years of her children’s lives, Carolyn made the decision to return to her hometown of Westfield, MA to be closer to her family. In 1978, with her two children and two cats in tow, she packed up her white Chevy Caprice and drove across the country. She told her children it would be an experience they would never forget, and she was right. This trip would prove to be an adventurous and very memorable journey, and the source of much laughter and storytelling years later. Carolyn lived a full life. She was a committed and devoted single parent to her two children, and she worked tirelessly to provide for her family at a time when women were not often able to access financial resources or higher paying jobs in the workforce. Sharp in mind, organized, and possessing a strong work ethic, Carolyn had a successful career in the advertising, publishing and accounting fields- working at Bewick Advertising, Darby O’Brien Advertising, Business West, and Springfield Senior Services. It was at Springfield Senior Services where she would finish her career. Being part of an organization that served those in need in her community was something she valued, and it aligned well with her interest in helping others. Carolyn was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader. She had a deep appreciation for the arts, especially live theater, music, the opera, and international films. She also loved to play golf, and she was an excellent knitter, even teaching adult woman how to knit in her mother’s knitting store as a child. She enjoyed being part of various communities that connected her to these passions, whether it was taking Learning in Later Life courses at Springfield College, organizing and running book club discussions for many years (sometimes as many as three at one time), or attending operas in Boston and local live theater at the Majestic and Chestertown Theaters. Carolyn was a faith-filled person with a giving spirit who had a strong desire to support those less fortunate than her. She was proud to be an active member of the Grace Lutheran Church for many years, and she cherished the strong fellowship she experienced there. Organized and dependable, Carolyn assumed many volunteer roles during her time at Grace Lutheran Church, including raising money for the soup kitchen, organizing food, clothing, and toy drives at the holidays, and supporting families and children in need of coats and school supplies. During the past eight years, Carolyn felt fortunate to have chosen Providence Place in Holyoke, MA to be her home. She valued the many friendships she formed there and appreciated the rich sense of community she found there. Providence Place welcomed her and enabled her to live independently, while allowing her to still nurture her interests. In the last months of her life, she was blessed to have the compassionate support of special caregivers at RegalCare of Holyoke, especially her beloved Pat who was her bright light in every way, and also Lydia, whose quiet and gentle tending was much appreciated. The family also wishes to thank the entire team from New England Hospice and Pastor John of Grace Lutheran Church for their respectful, kind, and compassionate care in Carolyn’s final days. In addition to her parents and her late husband Danny, she was predeceased by her sister Lois A. Justin, her brother-in-law Victor Justin, and her nephew David P. Justin. MA on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Carolyn’s memory to the West Springfield Library, the Majestic Theater of West Springfield, or to the Grace Lutheran Church, 1552 Westfield St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Services will be held Saturday March 11, 2023 at 11AM from the Grace Lutheran Church 1552 Westfield St. West Springfield. The Toomey-O'Brien Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.