Carolyn Grimm Rainey

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Carolyn G. Rainey, who passed away peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, July 14, 2026. She was 87 years old.

There are few words that can truly capture a life so fully lived or a woman who meant so much to so many. Carolyn was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother known as "Nanna," beloved "Nanna 2" to her great-grandchildren, sister and aunt, accomplished quilter, passionate advocate for women's rights during the late 1960's and 1970's, family historian, and loyal friend. Her kindness, strength, wisdom, and unwavering love for her family will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Born on June 11, 1939, in Kentucky, Carolyn's life took a turn after moving to Pennsylvania, where she saw a military photograph of a handsome young serviceman named John Rainey. She asked if she could become his pen pal. Those letters blossomed into a lifelong love story, leading to nearly 65 years of marriage filled with adventure, laughter, perseverance, and unwavering devotion.

Together they built a life that carried them across the country, living in Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, Texas, and Arizona. For a time in their life, they embraced life aboard their beloved Hatteras yacht before later trading the water for the open road, spending five enjoyable years as RV campground hosts during retirement, creating memories wherever they traveled.

Carolyn's professional life reflected her willingness to embrace new opportunities. She worked as Assistant to the Comptroller for a land development company, managed tennis and racquet clubs for a decade, co-owned both an automotive supply business and a limousine company with John, and successfully operated home-based businesses selling women's clothing and jewelry. Whatever role she filled, she brought enthusiasm, intelligence, and dedication.

One of Carolyn's greatest passions was her lifelong commitment to Zonta International, an organization dedicated to building a better world for women and girls. Invited to join the Maumee Zonta Club in Ohio in 1977, she went on to serve in numerous leadership positions at the club, district, and international levels while part of District 5, District 11 and District 10. She served as District 10 Governor from 1996 to 1998 and later served on Zonta's International Service Committee. Her work took her around the world, attending nine international conventions spanning Sydney, Hong Kong, Paris, Sweden, and beyond. She often said that Zonta had expanded her horizons and given her lifelong friendships across the globe.

Carolyn believed deeply in opening doors for future generations and never hesitated to stand up for what she believed was right.

Her creativity flourished through quilting, where her artistry earned numerous awards, including being named a finalist in the 1992 Hoffman Quilt Challenge, with her quilt touring the United States for a year. She also received multiple first-, second-, and third-place ribbons and honorable mentions for her work over the years. Her accomplishments were recognized with honors including the 1983 Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Award in Toledo, Ohio; Woman of the Year by the Per Ro Ma Chapter of the American Business Women's Association; and the 1994 Woman of Excellence Award presented through the Houston Zonta Club and the Federation of Houston Professional Women.

Beyond her many accomplishments, Carolyn found joy in life's quieter moments. She loved raising orchids, quilting, researching family genealogy, reading, solving puzzles, and playing Mah Jongg, cards, Rummikub, and years ago, Cribbage. She was also the keeper of her family's history, devoting countless hours to preserving photographs, stories, and memories that might otherwise have been lost. That gift will be treasured by generations to come.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" Eischen (Jeffrey) of Temperance, Michigan, and her son, John (Laurie) Rainey of Queen Creek, Arizona. She also leaves behind six beloved grandchildren: Michelle (Cory) Schmidlin of Waterville, Ohio; Matthew (Amanda) Rainey, Christian (Marissa) Rainey, and Jacob (Mike Tribbey) Rainey, all of Arizona; Jeffrey Eischen Jr. (Jamie) of Clarkston, Michigan; and Christopher (Samantha) Eischen of Lambertville, Michigan. She was the proud great-grandmother of Theo Schmidlin, Michael Eischen, Isabella Eischen, Jeffrey Eischen III, and Josephine Eischen.

She is also survived by her brother, Jack (Donna) Grimm; her half-brother, Jim (Anita) Milner; half-sister, Marty (Herb) Kruger, half-sister Kathy Rea, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Carolyn was preceded in death my her husband, John Rainey, and parents Ada Blanche and Jackson Whitfield Grimm and by half-brother Howard Milner and half-sister Phyllis Shutz.

Watching Carolyn's health decline in recent months was difficult for those who loved her, but there is comfort in knowing she is now at peace and reunited with the love of her life.

Her family will forever remember her for her strength, compassion, wisdom, resilience, and her remarkable ability to preserve the stories that shaped their family. Her legacy lives on not only in the quilts she stitched, the causes she championed, and the history she preserved, but in the lives she touched and the love she so freely gave.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to Zonta International-Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund (www.zonta.org) or to a charity of your choice in Carolyn's memory.