Lindenhurst woman energized community

Officials with the village of Lindenhurst had come to count on Carole Laning for her volunteer efforts and her energy.

Last year alone, she designed a sock hop for the village's 50th anniversary committee, was a director of the community's popular Linden Fest, served on its Earth Day commission and was the recording secretary for the plan commission.

And that doesn't take in all of the park district activities she and her daughters volunteered at, officials add.

All of which makes it difficult for village leaders to imagine a future without her. Mrs. Laning passed away suddenly Tuesday. She was 51.

"I know it sounds trite, but she truly was a pillar in the community," says Cindy Spangler, Lindenhurst office manager. "She was very, very active. I just can't say enough about how much of a presence she had here. She will be sorely missed."

Mrs. Laning grew up in Palatine, the middle of 10 children. She attended Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Rolling Meadows before continuing on to Harper College.

As a young woman, she joined the Palatine Jaycees, where she honed her leadership skills while helping with the group's many community service projects. Mrs. Laning eventually served as president of the group.

When her two daughters were small, they both held pageant titles -- including Junior Miss Lindenhurst and Miss Lindenhurst -- and consequently the entire family became active ambassadors for the village, Spangler says.

"Once they were crowned, their whole year was mapped out, between appearing at all of the holiday events, chamber of commerce events, and business functions," Spangler says.

Networking with so many village organizations led to more involvement, both for the pageant winners and their mother.

"She loved being involved in the community," says her oldest daughter, Christine, of Lindenhurst. "She just had a knack for organizing things." When she wasn't volunteering, Mrs. Laning worked as a product promotions coordinator for United Marketing Group in Schaumburg, where officials leaned on her for her technical expertise, as well as to deal with clients and vendors.

"We're just devastated," says Nancy Jarach, operations vice president. "She's going to be very difficult to replace."

Mrs. Laning is survived by another daughter, Michelle, of Lindenhurst; her mother, Marjorie, of Palatine; and siblings Richard (Donna) of Crystal Lake, Joan (Steve) Martinez of Roselle, Mark (the late Kim) of Naples, Fla., Elizabeth DeSimone of Streamwood, James (Donna) of Palatine, David (Tonni) of Grand Rapids, Mich., Matthew (Kathy) of Palatine, Amy (Rob) Wiltgen of Cary, and Myles (Kim) Adamson of Elmhurst; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass for Mrs. Laning will take place at 11:30 a.m. today at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 455 N. Benton St. in Palatine.