Kathleen (Shaddle) Carlson 1949-2022
Our much-loved big sister, Kathleen (Shaddle) Carlson died peacefully at her home in Chicago, IL on August 24, 2022, on her 73rd birthday. She was born on that day in 1949 in Forrest, IL, the oldest child of Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd G. Shaddle and is survived by her brothers Bill (and wife Catherine) of Seal Beach, CA, James of Bloomington, IL and niece (and light of her life) Devon (Shaddle) Ruiz (and husband Alain) of Miami, FL.
Kathleen graduated with honors from Forrest-Strawn-Wing High School in 1967 and worked for several years as a certified dental assistant for her father in Forrest before beginning a career in the insurance industry at age 23, when she moved first to Peoria, IL and then to Phoenix, AZ. There she achieved CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) professional certification, eventually working her way up to account executive and manager in several insurance companies. Her career brought her back to Chicago nearly 40 years ago where she lived for the rest of her life. Many of the coworkers she met during her career in insurance became lifelong friends and travel companions who will cherish the memories of their adventures for the rest of their lives.
Kathleen will be fondly remembered for her love of life, loyalty to her friends and family, adventurous spirit and outgoing personality. Whether it was a cozy family week in late fall with jigsaw puzzles, movie marathons, champagne and family dinner preparation, weekend trips to London or Paris with her niece, Devon, or African safaris with friends to watch mass migrations in the Serengeti, Kathleen was ready for the next adventure. She achieved her goals of visiting all seven continents, watching the Northern Lights from a lodge in Canada, white water rafting the Grand Canyon, crewing on a racing sailboat in the Chicago-to-Mackinaw race, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and watching men in kilts compete during the Highland Games in Scotland, all with family and dear friends. Her favorite places in the world included Australia (her mother’s homeland), Kenya, Morocco, London, Scotland, and of course, the Champagne district of France. A life well-lived indeed.
While Kathleen’s love of travel took her all over the world, she always had a soft spot for her beloved Chicago, living on beautiful Lake Shore Drive for more than 30 years. Her favorite activities included mornings on her bicycle, riding along the Lake Michigan shore, and late-night cruises on her brother’s boat, following the moonbeam out onto Lake Michigan. Kathleen volunteered as a docent at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, educating herself extensively about the flora at the arboretum and gardens there. Her intimate knowledge of the city amazed visitors; she was fond of approaching tourists to ask if they needed help in finding interesting sights. She was truly a Chicago ambassador!
Kathleen will be greatly missed as we shall never forget her enthusiastic embrace of life, love of nature, the pleasure she got from being with her dear friends and of seeing new places.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Kathleen’s memory to either of her favorite charities, the Lincoln Park Zoo or Lincoln Park Conservancy would be most appreciated.
