Gloria Harrington (nee Kuehn), 59, of Berwyn, formerly of Oak Park, died peacefully at home on Saturday, Nov. 21. She was born on May 30, 1961 to the late Heinz and Regina (nee Nowak) Kuehn, both of whom proceeded her in death, as did her nephew, Marcel Fremont.
She lived in Oak Park for most of her life, attending Ascension Grammar School, Oak Park and River Forest High School and Triton College in River Grove.
A joyful, gifted and multitalented woman, in her young adult life, she honed her people-loving skills by bartending. Her great love of nature and plants became the impetus for pursuing an education in landscape design. A reputation for growing beautiful gardens inspired her to open her own business, Harrington Design. The economic downturn of 2008 led to using her marketing skills to represent organic food producers with outlets throughout the U.S. She was headquartered in California and lived on a horse farm.
Having returned to Oak Park to care for her mother, she began her engagement with Right At Home, a local home care organization, together with the owner, Robert Stelletello. She planned and carried out many village-wide meetings, events and legendary celebrations. She was well known for her attention to detail and outsized fun, as well as the energy she brought to these events.
During her home care work, she took an interest in the care of patients with dementia. Certified to train caregivers, in 2019 she became director of Dementia Care Education for RAH. She loved hosting educational events for the police department, park district, and elder-care organizations.
Gloria was a loving sister, aunt and friend to many. She is survived by her sisters, Angelika Kuehn, Veronica Kuehn (Frederick) Fremont, Birgitta (Brian McHaffee) Kuehn; her brothers, Christopher (Lynn Wesley) Kuehn and Clement (Elizabeth Angele) Kuehn; her nieces, Ellison (Brian), Erica (Matt), Sarah (Samir), Kate, Sophia, and Johanna; and her nephews, Aaron (Orchidia), Stephen (Jennifer), Nathaniel (Juliet); and many great-nephews and great-nieces.
A COVID-safe event will be planned for 2021, to memorialize her bright, fun-loving nature. Please go to the Drechsler, Brown & Williams site, drechslerbrownwilliams.com for updates. Because of COVID, the family regrets missing the opportunity to meet with all of Gloria’s friends. We appreciate any stories or comments left on that website.
Gloria went out of her way to care for animals. In lieu of flowers, donations to Chicagocaninerescue.org or other animal charity would be appreciated.
