Candace A. "Candy" Carey

Candace A. "Candy" Carey, 60, Benton, Ark. passed away on April 8, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospice following a battle with cancer. She was born Feb. 26, 1957 in Joliet, Ill. to Dr. Edwin J. and Joan Brady Carey. She was sister to Susan, John, Carolyn, Jane, Ed, Andy, and Scott. Candy graduated from Drake University in 1979, and later attended Harvard's Kennedy School of Government receiving a Certificate in Organizational Leadership in 1999. Candy has a 37 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 is preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her his sister, Susan Otterstrom (David) of Peoria, Ill.; John Carey (Lori) of Sandwich, Ill.; Carolyn Knoebel (Tim) of Oswego, Ill.; Jane Nasharr (Dan) of St. Charles, Ill. ; Edwin Carey Jr. (Pam) of Sycamore, Ill.; Andy Carey (Lisa) of Escondido, Calif.; Scott Carey (Stephanie) of Aurora, Ill.; and 25 nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. A private Funeral Mass and Christian burial is planned in Illinois. 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, Ark. 72205 or to CARTI of Little Rock, 8901 CARTI Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72205 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Candy's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.