The remembrances of Karen Yarbrough, daughter of Proviso, who rose to become the Cook County Clerk and a leader in county Democratic politics, all focus on her positive energy and generous spirit.
Ms. Yarbrough died on April 7 after a short hospitalization. She was 73.
That is the person we knew, too. Whether boosting her hometown of Maywood or talking up efforts to improve service in her office, Ms. Yarbrough was enthusiastic and generous in her connections.
While her father, Don Williams, and later her husband Henderson, served as mayors of Maywood, Karen Yarbrough rose steadily in state and then county government. She represented the 7th district in the state house from 2001 until 2012. She ran successfully for county Recorder of Deeds and then county clerk.
She was a pioneering Black woman in several of those roles. She will long be remembered.