KARYN MARIE (HENCIER) HARRINGTON Sept. 6, 1951 – March 19, 2025
Karyn Marie (Hencier) Harrington, passed away March 19, 2025, at the age of 73 in Issaquah, Washington, after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. Karyn’s legacy is one of strength, intelligence, and humor.
Born Sept. 6, 1951, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Vince and Jay Hencier, Karyn’s early years were filled with the love and laughter of a close-knit family including her sister, Jody and her brother, Rick. She achieved academic success early on, having earned an award for never missing a day of high school. Her intellectual tenacity led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology, at Hamline University, and then complete a Medical Technology program. Her education prepared her for a long career as a MedTech, first at Ramsey Hospital and then the Los Alamos National Labs.
She married her best friend, Tim Harrington, Oct. 23, 1981, and moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where they spent 43 years creating a family and building a life together. Karyn was a devoted mother to her daughters, Kate and Meg. She found her greatest joy in family life. They spent many happy weekends camping in the picturesque landscapes of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. She loved family game nights and watching her daughters play soccer.
An avid quilter, Karyn’s artistic talents were a medium through which she expressed her love and creativity. She enjoyed gifting her works of art to the people in her life. Hiking, camping, birdwatching, and gathering wildflowers, were avenues for her to connect with nature and the serenity it offered. She enjoyed traveling with her extended family, exploring new parts of the world and creating unforgettable memories. A culinary enthusiast, she enjoyed cooking and took great pleasure in gathering her family for meals and game nights, fostering a sense of unity and warmth.
The joy in her life was further multiplied in June by the arrival of her granddaughter, Lyla Moon, with whom she shared many cherished moments. Grandma’s love and encouragement impelled Lyla to begin crawling at the beginning of March.
Karyn faced life’s challenges with bravery, never allowing her illness to overshadow her determination and passion for this life. She was dearly loved and will be forever missed by her family and the many friends she made throughout her life.
She is survived by her husband, Tim Harrington, daughters Kate (Dennis) Rousu, and Meg (Ryan) Pellette, granddaughter Lyla, sister Jody (Jim) Karels, brother Rick (Nancy) Hencier, as well as many loving sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
May angels be always by your side, Mom.