Candace Carey

1957 - 2017

Candace A. "Candy" Carey, 60, Benton, AR passed away on April 8, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospice following a battle with cancer. She was born February 26, 1957 in Joliet, IL to Dr. Edwin J. and Joan Brady Carey. She was sister to Susan, John, Carolyn, Jane, Ed, Andy, and Scott. Candy was raised in Sandwich, IL, graduated from Rosary High School in 1975, Drake University in 1979, and later attended Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, receiving a Certificate in Organizational Leadership in 1999. Candy has a thirty-seven year professional career with the American Red Cross that started in Chicago. She moved on to various assignments in Nebraska, Louisiana, Virginia and Washington, D.C. In August 1993, she became the executive director of the American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas. In addition to her dedication to those served by Red Cross, Candy was a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock Foundation Board of Trustees and a Paul Harris Fellow. Candy was a founding member of the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence, an organization to empower and expand the difference made by non-profits. Arkansas Magazine recognized Candy as one of the Top Ten Executive Women leaders in Arkansas, and also recognized her leadership with the Top Nonprofit Organization of the Year award. Candy was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her siblings, Susan Otterstrom (David) of Peoria, IL; John Carey (Lori) of Sandwich, IL; Carolyn Knoebel (Tim) of Oswego, IL; Jane Nasharr (Dan) of St. Charles, IL; Edwin Carey Jr. (Pam) of Sycamore, IL; Andy Carey (Lisa) of Escondido, CA; Scott Carey (Stephanie) of Aurora, IL; and 25 nieces and nephews. A celebration of life was held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, AR 72205. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Plano, IL. A Private Christian burial will follow. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2017 at Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home in Sandwich, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to the American Red Cross of Little Rock, 401 S. Monroe Street, Little Rock, AR 72205 or to CARTI of Little Rock, 8901 CARTI Way, Little Rock, AR 72205 or to a charity of your choice. Arkansas Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Candy's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com. Illinois arrangements by Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home, for more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home at 606 E. Arnold Rd. in Sandwich, IL 60548 815-786-2165