Carol Jane LeFevre

Carol Jane LeFevre (née Baumann) died on June 3, 2026, at the age of 101 with family beside her, at Foulkeways Continuing Care Retirement Community in Gwynedd, PA. She was well-known at Foulkeways for her service to the community, including managing the library and editing the literary journal, singing in the chorus, her love of Rummikub and other games, and her daily strolls around the campus, often in a red beret, until the end of her life.

Carol was born November 26, 1924, in Pierron, IL, to Eunice Leone Baumann (née Heston) and Bernhard Robert Baumann. She grew up on a farm in Highland, IL, and attended a one-room country schoolhouse and Highland High School along with her sister, Bernadine and her brother David. She later attended Stephens College and the University of Chicago, where she earned master’s degrees in sociology and teaching and a PhD in Human Development. At various times in her life, she worked as a research assistant, a nursery school and first grade teacher, a professor of psychology at St. Xavier College, and a clinical psychologist. She was the author of several academic articles and co-editor of a book on aging.

Carol met her husband, Perry Deyo LeFevre of New Paltz, NY, when they were both students in Chicago. They were married on September 14, 1946.

After spending a year in Cambridge, England, and in France, Carol and Perry returned to the United States, living briefly in Shanks Village, NY, Lancaster, PA, and Galesburg, IL, before settling down in Chicago for the next 50 years. They raised their three children in Chicago, where Carol created a warm, lively household filled with games, reading, crafts, baking, music, and art—activities she continued to share with her grandchildren and great‑grandchildren throughout her life.

Carol was a life-long learner, reader and volunteer, interested in politics and history, and enjoying music, travel, and good friends wherever she went. Each year she made donations to dozens of charities and political campaigns. Throughout her 80s and 90s she produced a newsletter for the LeFevre Family Association, transcribed diaries of ancestors, and compiled family histories.

Carol is survived by her three children--Susan Faye (LeFevre) Hook (John); Peter Gerret LeFevre (Antonia); and Judith Ann LeFevre-Levy (Daniel); by eight grandchildren--Ruth (Hook) Warneck (Tim); Perry Hook (Jessica); Peter LeFevre (Shelley); Caroline LeFevre (Mike); Cynthia (LeFevre) Horn (Tommy); Anna (LeFevre-Levy) Harris (Byron); Marta LeFevre-Levy; and Rose LeFevre-Levy; by eleven great-grandchildren, and by four nieces and two nephews. Her family is very grateful to have shared their lives with her and to have experienced her love, creativity, and care. Her parents, brother, and sister predeceased her.

A memorial service will be held for Carol LeFevre on December 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Warrington, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Plan USA, Project Home (in Philadelphia) or the Chicago Theological Seminary.