PARIS — Carolyn Louise Harmon, mother of Father Barry J. Harmon of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, passed away on Holy Thursday, April 2 at Paris Community Hospital. She was 75 years old.

Born Aug. 27, 1939 in Paris, she was the daughter of the late Roy F. and Margaret (Englum) Curl. She was an active member of St. Mary Parish in Paris, singing in the choir since age 10. She married Charles B. Harmon on Aug. 29, 1959 at St. Mary Church. Her husband passed away Dec. 31, 2005.

Carolyn was an elementary school teacher for 40 years and loved children. She touched numerous lives in her teaching career and was an inspiration to many. She was a member of St. Mary's Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Retired Teachers Association, the Edgar County Homeless Association and had formerly represented her parish as a member of the Catholic Charities Advisory Board in Mattoon.

Carolyn loved her kids, grandkids and great-grandchild and enjoyed spending time with them.

Survivors include her children, Father Harmon, parochial administrator of Mother of Dolors Parish in Vandalia and St. Joseph Parish in Ramsey, Meg (husband, Carl) Pena of Greenwood, Ind., and Julie (husband, Robert) Benning of Jeffersonville, Ind.; four grandchildren, Rebecca Benning, Kathleen Benning, Brendan Benning and Allison Pena; one great-grandchild Greyson Benning; and three sisters, Rose Marie Kenney of Paris, Patricia Roush of Paris and Peggy Doak of Rock Island.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and six siblings.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated April 7 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Harmon as the main celebrant. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary Church, P.O. Box 577, Paris, IL 61944-0577.

Steward and Carroll Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.