Lilra "Kitty" Carnahan

Listen, have you ever known someone who is such a bright light that when they’re gone the darkness seems darker somehow? Anyone who knew Kitty did. She was a phenomenon unto herself. Born Lilra Kathleen Carnahan on January 15th, 1949 to Lillian and Jim Carnahan she was a free spirit and compassionate teacher from the very beginning. She taught her sisters patience as they tried to coax a stray cat and scared the adults as she gently petted the massive farm bull on the snout. She was not one to take the often traveled road and loved a good story about it. Around 1971 she joined the USAF and spent the next 20 years on one long adventure. Within that time she had her daughter, Heidi, also kissing the Blarney stone (sending her glasses flying down to the ground while she was at it), rode along the romantic Venice canals, and ate peaches with real clotted cream in England. Once back stateside, she settled in South Dakota where she helped out many people. She was even gifted a mixed wolf pup from a Native American as gratitude for her compassion. Meanwhile she never forgot her family and friends back home and maintained relationships through extensive letters. The stories about Kitty are too many for even an encyclopedia to contain. She retired in 1991 as MSGT Lilra Carnahan, moving her small family back to Michigan where so much of her extended family lived. It was here that her helper spirit really shined. She worked with her sister Delle for several years before moving on as a substitute teacher. She enjoyed the challenge of getting disengaged youth interested in history. She could research a subject to extremes. In the process Kitty became an animated book of knowledge, engaging others' attention. This was extremely evident in her service to her church. She researched and created curriculum for youth ministry and designed original retreats that taught some deep biblical knowledge in fun and playful ways that would reach the younger generation. Through the years she never stopped helping others and always let them know her door was open anytime it was needed. She was an amazing listener, making you feel seen, heard and special even if you were talking about mud. On the morning of Sunday, December 12th she passed peacefully in her sleep. This was a complete surprise to everyone. She had successfully finished chemo and was feeling better than she had in awhile. She was looking forward to many upcoming activities she couldn’t participate in during cancer treatment. She has left behind a legacy not only in her 1 daughter, mother, 3 sisters, 18 nieces and nephews and extensive extended family but also the many friends she made along the way. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered as she steps into the next room of life to visit those who have passed before her while she waits for the rest of us. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Luncheon for Kitty on Sunday, December 26th, 2021 at the Eaton Area Senior Center, 804 S. Cochran Ave, Charlotte, Michigan from 2-6 p.m. Those who would like to attend virtually through Zoom can contact Kitty’s son-in-law Harvey Gamez at h.htechnician08@gmail.com for further information