In Memoriam

Carolyn J. Hancock

Rebekah Assembly President, 1996

Secretary Emeritus

1922 ~ 2003

On July 26, 2003, the Jurisdiction of Idaho and Rebekahs everywhere lost one of our most ardent supporters with the passing of our Past President and Secretary Emeritus, Carolyn Hancock.

Carolyn was born June 3, 1922 in New Meadows, Idaho and spent all of her growing up years in New Meadows.  After graduating from high school, she attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington for two years, and received her BS in Education from Oregon State University in 1944.  She went back to New Meadows and taught school for a year and then went to work for a lumber company, where she worked for ten years.

Carolyn joined Wild Rose Rebekah Lodge No.102 in New Meadows on June 20, 1940, just 17 days after her eighteenth birthday, and from that time until her death she never stopped working for the Order.  She very quickly became a Past Noble Grand of her lodge and immediately began serving on the State level.  She served on the Theta Rho Board of Control for a number of years and was elected Secretary of the Idaho Rebekah Assembly in 1956.  She served in this office for 35 years and in addition, became very involved on an International level.  She served on a number of important committees for the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies and was a Past President of the International Secretaries' Association.

She was extremely dedicated to the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home of Idaho and served on the Home Board of Trustees for many years.  Her main priority was always the welfare of the residents there.

For her service to the Order and her community, she was awarded the Decoration of Chivalry and the prestigious Meritorious Service Award.  She was also a recipient of the International Secretary of the year award.

She was elected President of the Rebekah Assembly of Idaho in 1995 and in accepting the jewel of her office, she reminded  us that she had served as Secretary with 35 Presidents who had previously worn that jewel.  As one of those 35, I think that I can speak for the other 34, when I say how very privileged we were to have been able to serve with her.  Not only was she knowledgeable and always willing to help, but she was great fun.  In my years as an officer of the Assembly, she and I, along with other Rebekahs, drove and flew many miles to attend functions for Rebekahs, and it was always most enjoyable.

Carolyn was not blessed with a large biological family, but she had a worldwide Fraternal family, who will always miss her.

To the work of our Order she gave her best;

And now in Heaven finds peaceful rest;

Kind, loving, loyal, and true,

She blessed this world by just passing through.

Laura Englehart, PP

Gem of the Mountains No.5