Carolyn is survived by her husband, Reginald L. Barnes; her children, Douglas E. Barnes; his daughter, Emily Barnes and his wife, Katrina; her daughter, Deborah A. Dubay and her husband, Patrick, and their children, Kristina Dubay Brown and Bryan C. Dubay; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and many, many nieces and nephews. Carolyn was predeceased by her father, Lester Willette, who was shot down over Guam in August 1944 during WWII, when Carolyn was just 1 1/2 years old; her mother, Freda (Landyr/Willette) Murray; her daughter, Susan Marie Barnes; her brother, David L. Willette; and two sisters, Cheryl Demers and Bernice Blaskey. Carolyn was one of 12 children and grew up in a large extended family. Surviving siblings are Mary and her husband, Donnie Melanson, of Bristol, CT, Robert and his wife, Sue Murray, of Milford, JoAnne and her husband, Vern Wyman, of Old Town, Elaine and her husband, Larry Mishou, of Old Town, Herb Murray and his partner, Colin McAlpine, of Glasgow, Scotland, Annette Paul of Eddington, Jane Cote and her partner, Carmen Foster, of Milford, and Janet and her husband, John Mellor, of Northbridge, MA.
Summing up 78 years to reflect a life lived quietly and unassumingly is difficult when measured against the extraordinary woman Carolyn was. Those who knew and loved her knew Carolyn to be strong, determined and fiercely loyal to family and friends. Carolyn was from Milford and went through the Old Town school system, graduating from Old Town High School in 1961. She was a beautiful cook and caring soul who shared her love through her baking. She and her very good friend Joanne Philbrick co-owned and operated the Bread Basket Bakery from 1986-1989. Carolyn was famous for her cinnamon rolls. For many years after the closing of the Bread Basket, she would make special orders of cinnamon rolls, which people would often request for special occasions. Several years prior to opening the bakery, she worked as a cook for the Alton Elementary School-those kids had no idea how good they had it!. She also made her famous baked beans for the annual Old Town Hunter's Breakfast.
Carolyn was a wonderful homemaker, always proud of her home, she kept it well ordered and immaculate. She was an avid reader and loved listening to music and enjoyed playing piano. Other interests were knitting and crocheting, which were often personal gifts of her talent to family and friends for special events. They were always treasured for the great skill and quality of care. Carolyn loved to laugh and when she really got going the tears would stream down her cheeks. Her siblings, who called her Canny, could make her laugh more than anyone. Carolyn was also an active member of the Alton United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women's group. However, her greatest joy came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they alway put a sparkle in her eyes and made her smile. She was immeasurably proud of each of them.
She will be dearly missed by her family and friends, but most especially by Reggie, her devoted husband of nearly 60 years.
As per her wishes, there will be no traditional funeral services, however her family would like to invite close friends and family to a luncheon in her honor on Sunday, June 13, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Alton United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Alton United Methodist Church. We wish to thank the many nurses, doctors and staff of St. Joseph Hospital who diligently and compassionately cared for her these past difficult weeks.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18