Carolyn S. Witter

Carolyn was born January 2, 1924 as the third child of Raymond and Kathryn Schlueter in Kenesaw Nebraska. She graduated from Kenesaw High School and Hastings College Nebraska (BA in Fine Arts). She married Lloyd D. Witter in Seattle, Washington in 1950; moved to Chicago IL; Hinsdale IL; then to Urbana IL in 1956. She had three children Bart, Beth (Vance Gledhill), Janet (Fraser Hill), and 6 grandchildren (Chris Gledhill, Jenny Gledhill, Sarah Hill, Lauren Hill, Kathryn Hill, and Adam Hill). She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 53 years Lloyd Witter, daughter Janet Hill, grandson Adam Hill, brother Richard Schlueter and sister Margaret Grimm. Carolyn S. Witter died at home July 20, 2020 at 10:17 AM.

            Shortly after moving to Urbana we moved to an appropriately named street called Bliss Drive (part of the University Married Housing Development). There my mother and father met other young university start-up families (Walt & Pat Franke, John & Bonnie Hummel, Walt & Carolyn McMahon, Jim & Bonnie Tarr). Remarkably these families would remain close friends for more than 60 years. In about 1960 we moved from Bliss Drive to a new house on Burkwood Drive where a few years latter another pair of lifelong friends moved next door (Roger & Iris Marcum). The one similar trait among all mom and dads friends is they like to party, so  they set up the gourmet group, the pot luck group, the May birthday party, the UnMay birthday party, Chinese New Year, and even had a party for an old Chevrolet Station Wagon about to turn over 100,000 miles. These parties all centered around food, drink, lively conversation, and even livelier dancing. I loved to watch the couples all jitterbugging to the Big Band Music of the 1940’s.

            One thing I would like to say about my mother is she was a very nice woman. I know I am biased, but if you ask anyone who knew her, they would say the same. Somehow, she would always see the good in people. “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.” I think she and so many of her like-minded friends make this a better world. Their kindness, understanding, and love sluff of on others creating a wonderful cascade.

            Although I mentioned only a few friends by name, she had scores of close friends from bridge groups, Stitch & (Rhyming Term for Gossip), and Symphony at Krannert. I love you mom. I and so many others will miss you forever. Your devoted son Bart.

No memorial or visitation has been planned at present.

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