Carol Jean (McCourt) Hallen, age 76, of Kirkland, Washington passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, in Puyallup, Washington surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Carol was born August 13, 1945 in Port Angeles, Washington to Clinton Kenneth McCourt and Olive Naomi (Walden) McCourt. She lived in Oregon, Colorado, and New York prior to returning to Washington as a teenager. Carol graduated from Sammamish High School in Bellevue, Washington and attended Washington State University for a short time before starting her 36-year career at Highline Medical Center in Burien, Washington.
Carol is survived by her son Marc Hallen (wife Sally) and daughter Amy Littleton, her niece Jessica McCourt (husband Derek), three granddaughters Kayla, Kelsey, and Kamryn Littleton, and one grandson Brady Hallen. She is preceded in death by her parents Ken and Naomi, and her brother Jim McCourt.
Carol was passionate about Marc and Amy, her family and friends, Highline Medical Center, travel, and a good glass of scotch! She was active in her community, serving on the boards of several organizations including Greater Highline Chamber of Commerce, Southwest King County Chamber, Crisis Clinic, and Residence XII.
Carol began her retirement in 2010 with a trip to Europe, and returned to begin her work as a CASA volunteer advocating for foster children in court. As with everything in her life, Carol put her heart into her work with CASA. Her friends were her world and in retirement they enjoyed traveling, playing mahjong, golf, and going to the theater.
There was nothing Carol loved more than being with her grandkids. Spending the weekends watching them play soccer and baseball, attending their musical performances, and taking yearly trips to Lake Chelan was what she lived for. She used to say “grandkids are the reward for all the hard work of being a mom.”
Carol was truly one of a kind. She had the greatest capacity for love, modeled what it means to be good and do good in this world, and leaves behind a legacy of service and care that will never be forgotten.
Memories of Carol may be shared at www.sunsethills funeralhome.com for the Hallen family. In lieu of flowers, the family will be creating a memorial for her in the Paul Tucker Healing Garden at St. Anne Hospital, previously Highline Medical Center. To make a donation you can mail a check to St. Anne Hospital Foundation at 16259 Sylvester Rd. SW Suite 101 Burien, WA 98166 or make an online dona- tion at www.supportstanne.org and follow the donate now button and be sure to note that it is in memory of Carol.
