Carolyn Ortwein

Remembering Carolyn Ortwein
A Dedicated Teacher, Family Member, and Friend

Carolyn Elva Ortwein, age 77, of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 30th at St. Luke's Hospital in Allentown. She leaves behind a legacy of memories, laughter, and a spirit that touched countless lives and will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have known her.
Born on April 30th, 1948, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Carolyn was the daughter of Viola Mae Kurtz and George Boone Kurtz. She graduated from Reading High School and pursued higher education at Kutztown University, earning her Bachelor of Education in French and Russian. Carolyn's commitment to education continued as she attained her Master's Degree in Reading and English as a Second Language, setting the foundation for a lifelong career in teaching.

Known as "Madame O" by her students, Carolyn devoted 38 years to teaching French at Exeter High School. She was celebrated for her wit, her love of puns, and her unique ability to make learning both memorable and fun. Through activities like "Simon Says" and her hand puppet, Miree, she created an engaging classroom environment where students felt comfortable and eager to learn. Her humor and positivity brightened every day, and many remember her as someone who profoundly shaped their lives—both in and out of the classroom.
Carolyn's contributions at Exeter extended far beyond language instruction. In addition to teaching French, Russian, and English as a Second Language, she was very involved in school activities. She served as Class Advisor, Student Council Advisor, Key Club Advisor, Tennis and Cheering Coach, Yearbook Advisor, and Foreign Language Department Chair, among many other roles. Her dedication was evident in the countless hours she invested in organizing homecoming events, May Day celebrations, class trips, dances, tournaments, and excursions to France and New York. Carolyn also championed volunteer efforts for programs such as the Salvation Army and Trick or Treating for UNICEF. Her energy and enthusiasm inspired students to take French just to have her as their teacher, and the familiar call of "Madame O!" could be heard in the hallways as students went out of their way to greet her.

After retiring from teaching in 2009, Carolyn's commitment to service grew stronger. For 16 years she was a driving force behind the Reading Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, several times volunteering 1,000+ hours during the four-month Christmas season, and she continued to help in 2025 despite undergoing treatment for cancer. Her selfless spirit extended to the Lowhill Township Food Pantry, Forgotten Felines & Fidos Rescue, and the Lehigh Valley Zoo, where she served as a docent. Carolyn was also an active member of West Lawn United Methodist Church, supporting numerous church initiatives and participating in a mission trip to Haiti.
Carolyn's creativity and compassion were reflected in the thousands of beautiful cards she crafted and sent over the years—not only to friends and family, but also to brighten the days of those in nursing homes, hospitals, or facing difficult circumstances. She embodied the spirit of giving back, serving as a role model for generosity.

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Kenneth Ortwein; daughters, Christa Tam (partner John Maron) and Diana Naescher; grandson, Gabriel Naescher; brother, David Kurtz, and wife, Cynthia Kurtz, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and a circle of friends who will forever cherish her wisdom and laughter. Carolyn will also be missed by her dog, Jack (aka Cujo) and the many stray cats she cared for.

A Celebration of Carolyn's Life will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at West Lawn United Methodist Church, 15 Woodside Ave., Reading, PA. Visitation will begin at 10:00am to be followed by service at 11:00am. Further details will be shared in the coming months. Friends, family, former students, and colleagues are invited to gather and honor Carolyn by sharing stories, laughter, and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army or Forgotten Felines and Fidos Animal Rescue.