Carolyn Marie (Sanko) Hendricks passed away July 2, 2022 at Gurnee Place Memory Care Community, Gurnee IL. Carolyn was born in Spearville, KS on May 14, 1951, the daughter of Leo and Alice (James) Sanko. Her son Jeffrey Hendricks, wife Judi, and young grandchildren Brody 6, Audrey 5, and Whitney 3 live in Libertyville, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother James Sanko. Her sister Mary and husband Chuck Hattrup, live in Manhattan, KS.
Carolyn attended school in Spearville. While in high school she was a cheerleader, played the clarinet and was the drum majorette for the school band. Her senior year she earned the title of the first Miss Dodge City in the Miss Kansas Scholarship Pageant and went on to compete for the title of Miss Kansas. She loved Spearville, her classmates and relatives wishing she lived closer so she could see them often.
She attended Kansas State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in English, Speech and Theater. Her first teaching position in 1975 was teaching English and Speech at St John’s Military School in Salina, KS. She returned to Manhattan in 1979 to earn a Master of Arts degree in Speech Communications from K-State. While at KSU she taught public speaking, and oral interpretation of literature and coached individual forensics for Kansas State’s nationally ranked speech team.
In 1985 Carolyn moved to Chicago, Illinois and was an English teacher for one year before moving on to become the Executive Director of First Business School in downtown Chicago. It was a postsecondary school specializing in business skill training with inner city adults. Carolyn helped the school grow and change from a population of a 150 to over 750 ranking as the top proprietary school in the corporation at the time. They were honored with “The Builders Award” for the highest retention rate, attendance, and job placement. Carolyn pursued a doctoral degree in Education
Carolyn pursued a doctoral degree in Education Administration and Supervision at Loyola University in Chicago, 1990-93, completing the coarse work but stopping short of the dissertation. 1990-1996, she served the Grayslake school system where she was an Assistant Superintendent, Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools for Lake County, and Principle of Lakeview Elementary. 1996-2005, Carolyn moved to the Highland Park school district and became the Edgewood Middle School Associate Principle then moving on to become building Principle. During her leadership, many changes were initiated including: flexible block scheduling, Character Counts disciplinary practices, service learning, student led conferences, technological advancements and many more improvements. As a result, Edgewood Middle School was recognized in the October 2006 issue the Chicago Magazine as the fourth highest overall in public schools in the northwest suburban areas and the top middle school overall. 2005-2007, Carolyn completed her final years as an Illinois educator serving as the Associate Principle at Elm Place Middle School in Highland Park.
Anxious to return to her roots in Kansas after Jeff graduated from high school, she returned to Manhattan, purchased a house to be close to her sister. Carolyn taught English two years at Riley County High School, then worked as a para at Westwood Elementary in Junction City. Knowing she was developing memory problems she retired from education and spent several years as a caregiver for her niece’s children earning the title of “Grantie.” As time went on, it was apparent that her ability to care for herself and make good decisions was failing. She returned to Illinois to be close to her son and family and entered an assisted living facility, living there six years before her passing. Carolyn was a loving, compassionate person eager to help others. She took people into her home several times because they needed a place to live. She wanted to have a positive impact on the lives of others especially her students and recognized the power of learning and instilled the spirit to achieve. As one parent wrote in a thank you note: “We couldn’t ask for a warmer, more hands-on person to be our principal. You are visible everywhere and Edgewood has become a kinder and gentler place for our children.” Carolyn left the world a better place. She will be missed by many and will remain in our hearts forever. Arrangements by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in
Arrangements by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville, IL. For info: 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.
