FORT WORTH – Carrie Morene Harrington, a Fort Worth native who devoted more than four decades to teaching foreign languages, died on Saturday, June 27, at her home in Fort Worth, Texas. A global citizen, Carrie loved nothing more than to inspire a middle or high school student to study a language, learn about the world outside of the US, and understand why that knowledge would matter to them throughout their lifetime. One of her greatest joys was leading groups of students on trips to Mexico, Canada and Europe, something she was fortunate to do often during her teaching career. Carrie’s language study began in middle school and continued through her years in higher education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University in 1974 with triple majors in English, French and Spanish. She later graduated with a Master of Arts degree in French from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont in1980. Her career spanned 42 years beginning in 1974 as a teacher at Trimble Technical High School, followed by William James and McLean Middle Schools. She was appointed Director of World Languages in 1999, a position she held until her retirement in 2016. Carrie was active in local, state and national foreign language associations. She was elected President of the Fort Worth Area Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and President of the Texas Foreign Language Association. She was also an active member of the Fort Worth South Rotary Club, serving as the first woman elected President in 2008. She was born in Pecos, Texas on July 6, 1952, to Jimmie Dell Harrington (who predeceased her) and Mary Louise Harrington. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her sister, Mary Dell Harrington Berning and Melvin Joseph Berning, Jr.; nephew, James Walker Berning and Sarah Bicknell Berning, all of Larchmont, New York; and niece, Anne Harrington Boyce and Roger Fleming Hagerty Boyce of New York City. We are deeply grateful to her large circle of friends, some of whom have been part of her life since kindergarten. She had dedicated helpers for whom we are also deeply appreciative. As one friend and former Rotary colleague recently told us, “I feel like a real light has gone out in the world with the passing of Carrie. She was a profoundly kind and sweet soul. I know she will be sorely missed by many.” Carrie’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church, 800 West Fifth Street, Fort Worth, Texas. For those unable to attend, please refer to the church website for instructions to watch online. Private family internment to follow the funeral. In lieu of flowers, should you wish to honor her memory, please consider a contribution to either: Rotary International One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201-3698, USA The Fort Worth Foundation, c/o Rotary Club of Fort Worth South, P.O. Box 101224, Fort Worth, Texas 76185-1224 GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME Greenwood Funeral Homes – Cremation 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-336-0584
Related
View more details from the funeral home site.
Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.