Louise Harrington

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Louise Harrington was a delightful woman to know and love. She was blessed to share the best years of her life with her true love with whom she established the family she loved more than life itself. Someone who was always willing to work hard, Louise wholeheartedly applied herself to whatever task was at hand and considered it pure joy to care for others. With a life filled with grace, compassion, and gentleness, Louise was a woman of genuine beauty on the inside and out.

As the 1910s ushered in the 1920s, the world looked to America to set the pace for what was to come. We emerged from WWI as a world leader and in so doing, our role on the world stage was forever changed. This was the decade that brought us great successes in both the business and industrial sectors and with great advancements in the world of motion pictures and air travel thanks to Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh, opportunities seemed endless. It was during this time that the story of Louise V. Harrington begins.

Born on August 18, 1920, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Louise was raised as the younger of two children in her home including her step-sister, Clarita. Her mother was a young woman named Ilone Holden and Louise attended local schools.

After graduating from high school, Louise found work at Sutherland Paper Mill and also attended night classes. She was known for her strong work ethic throughout her life and always did whatever she could to earn a living including operating a daycare.

Life truly began for Louise when she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Wayne Harrington and they met at the Kalamazoo Speedway where she raced in a powder puff race while he was in one of the men’s feature races. A romance soon blossomed and the couple was united in marriage in September 1950. Together they were blessed with two children, Craig and Cindy.

Not only did Louise and Wayne raise their children alongside one another, they made plenty of time for just living life together. They enjoyed many of the same things and since Wayne raced, they travelled all over. It was also not uncommon to see the pair head out on the open road on Wayne’s motorcycle. Louise and her dear husband enjoyed the peace and tranquility of fishing somewhere on Lake Michigan whenever they were able to get away.

When Louise’s family grew to include six grandchildren, she couldn’t have been happier. It was clear to see that Tami, Todd, Branden, Carrie, Austin, and Dustin were the light of her life. Louise was a fantastic cook whose Thanksgiving dinners were always superb and complete with an enormous spread. Later in life her family tree grew to include seven great-grandchildren whom she adored.

Although much of Louise’s life centered on caring for her family, there were a few other things that were important aspects of her life. She loved spending time outdoors and could often be found tending to her garden and breathtaking flowers. Louise loved baseball and when Craig was growing up, she often took him to watch the Detroit Tigers play. Her favorite games to go see were always when the Yankees were in town. When it came to her favorite foods, Louise was partial to shrimp and cinnamon rolls, although not usually together! During her later years she kept busy working as a cost accountant for Kalamazoo Spring.

It is clear to see by the way in which Louise Harrington lived her life that she believed in embracing each moment she was given. She was lively, energetic, and someone whom others enjoyed being around. Although life was not without hardship for Louise, she demonstrated what it truly means to overcome those things that challenge us while shaping us into better people along the way. A beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Louise will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Louise Harrington of Portage died on Friday, April 14, 2011. Louise’s family includes one son: Craig (Brenda) Harrington, of Portage; one daughter Cindy (Don) Allen, of GA; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Louise was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, in 2007. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 19, from 10:30 until the time of the service at the Life Story Funeral Home, 5975 Lover Lanes, Portage (344-5600). The funeral service will be held at the same location on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Please visit Louise’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign her memory book online, leave a favorite memory or photo, or make a memorial contribution to the charity of your choice.