Carolyn H. Lunn

Carolyn H. "Dani" Lunn, of Whitefield, died Friday afternoon, November 26, 2010, after a battle with cancer. She went peacefully, in her home, surrounded by family and friends. She was 66 years old.

Dani was born in Lancaster, NH on October 20, 1944 to parents Dr. Robert "Doc" Hinkley and Mrs. Katherine (Savage) Hinkley, and was raised in Groveton. The captain of the cheerleading squad and a saxophonist for the concert band at Groveton High School, she later attended Ithaca College, where she was educated in physical therapy. In 1968, Dani married her high school sweetheart, and they started a family soon after. She thoroughly loved being an active part of her sons' lives, taking on many roles, including Cub Scout den mother, spelling bee coach, math tutor, New Year's Eve hostess, and avid "Sports Mom." In addition to being both a full-time wife and mom, and the bookkeeper for her husband's business, she began working as a teacher's aide in 1982 in the Whitefield elementary school system, from which she retired in 2007. As a result, over the years, her "kids" that she came to love would include not only her own children, but their friends, and her students at school. She was defined by the delight she had in being a Mom.

Dani's personal interests were many and memorable. In the spring and summer, she loved swimming in her pool and preparing cookouts for her family, "digging in the dirt" with her flowers, attending her sons' baseball games, taking her beloved Maine beach vacations, camping with family and friends, and watching the annual family fireworks display. Year-round, Dani was an avid quilter and enjoyed the company of her pets, and those of her family and neighbors. Whether swimming with her in the pool or accompanying her on shopping trips, her friends meant the world to her. And, the joy of collectibles with which she adorned her home was a love that she inherited from her father.

Dani was predeceased by her parents in 2001. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Glenn Lunn, Jr. of Whitefield; a brother, Dr. William Hinkley of St. Louis, MO; two sons, Jeffrey Lunn of Nashua, and William Lunn of Mystic, CT; a daughter-in-law, Katie Jeffrey-Lunn of Mystic, CT; three nieces, Katy Hinkley of Wentzville, MO, and Kristen Parks and Jennifer Everleth, both of Groveton; and remaining family members.

The community is invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, December 1 from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. A brief service will be delivered at the end of the latter session. A springtime burial and public ceremony will occur on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Park Street Cemetery in Whitefield.

Donations in Dani's name may be made to Northwoods Home Health & Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or the American Lung Association.