‘She had a passion for service’: Former Lifescape leader dies at age 74

January 4, 2023|By Kevin Haas|In Local, Rockford, Trending
Carolyn Green, who was the executive director of Lifescape Community Services for 20 years, died Dec. 30, 2022, in Urbana. She was 74. (Photo provided by Lifescape Community Services)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Carolyn Green, who led Lifescape Community Services for two decades, has died at age 74.

The Dora, Alabama, native moved to Rockford in 1995 to start her 20-year tenure as executive director and CEO of Lifescape, which works to improve the nutrition and quality of life for aging residents. She retired at the end of 2015 and later moved back to Danville, where she held her first job after college. She died Dec. 30 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, according to her obituary.

“Carol was a tremendous leader at a time when Lifescape needed strong leadership and vision. She had a passion for service,” Dale Townsend, president of Lifescape’s board of directors, said Wednesday in a news release. “When she retired, she left our organization in a wonderful position to serve even more older adults and their families.”

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Green led Lifescape through a $2.25 million campaign in 2004 to renovate and expand its facilities. That year, the organization was recognized as the winner of the Rockford Register Star’s Excelsior Award for community service.

Green also led the merger of Alpine Kiwanis’ Meet and Eat and Cornerstone Resources to create Lifescape Community Services. The organization also completed the addition of a vehicle garage to house 25 delivery trucks and 1,500 feet of cooler and freeze space to Lifescape’s facilities.

“Her legacy continues today as we provide meals, information, referrals, care coordination, health and wellness programs, and volunteer opportunities throughout northern Illinois,” Townsend said.

She was adventurous, and began skydiving at age 70, according to her obituary.

Green also worked with organizations such as the Rockford Rotary Club, Rockford Women’s Club, Rockford Human Services Collaborative, United Way, Illinois Partners for Human Services, Illinois Department on Aging, Illinois Association of Nutrition Providers, and the Older Adult Services Advisory Council. She also served on the Nonprofit Advisory Council of the Illinois Comptroller’s Office.

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Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St. in Danville. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to American Legion Post No. 210.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.