July has not been a very kind month. My good friend, Carolyn Varian, passed away July 17, 2021. If you did not know Carolyn personally you would certainly recognize her. She has been an icon in the dry cleaning industry for many years. She was always at industry events, lending a hand wherever she could. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer approximately two months ago.
Carolyn started her dry cleaning career when she bought Crown Cleaners in Sunland. She wanted to be somewhere where “she could dress up!” Later, she sold that location and bought Bow Tie Cleaners. Finally, she started Memory Lane which specialized in wedding dresses. She was still active in this business when she passed.
Carolyn was a Board Member for So Cal Cleaners Association. She also served on the Board of the California Cleaners Association (CCA) and was awarded Dry Cleaner of the Year 2002. CCA started a dry cleaning school in San Pedro and it was a natural for her to accept the task of teaching students at the school. Even after the school closed, Carolyn kept in touch with many of her students.
Carolyn’s life bought challenges the last few years. She lost her 2 daughters to cancer and her son to a brain aneurism; yet she always had a smile on her face. I know she is peace with them.
Carolyn has been a mentor to many in our industry. In her honor, please become a mentor yourself. Nothing would make her happier.
