Carolyn Derexy Hanley

Carolyn was born August of 1937 in Carmel, IN to the late Jewett and Mabel Hodson. As a young girl, she was read bible stories and loved services at her meeting house where she learned to pray and came into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Carolyn received her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Music at Earlham College, IN in 1959 after which married first husband of 33 years, Owen Wallace (Wally) Crispin and moved to Woodstown, NJ. During that time she worked as a teacher, homemaker, church pianist, choir director and helped run a small farm. She loved raising her two children, gardening and serving the Church. She was also an avid reader, enjoyed painting and making clothing. Carolyn was full of youthful energy and always seemed to be always in motion.

Once her children were grown, Carolyn and Wally followed their dream to live in Vermont. In 1991 she received her Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and after the death of her husband in 1993 she served the Church as pulpit supply and helped start a Christian school. She wrote poetry and fiction, and published a few articles in Christian publications.

Carolyn later lived in Massachusetts for 15 years where she continued to work in ministry as a church pianist and Choir Director at Austin Square Baptist Church, Lynn, as well as church secretary for several years. There she met and married William (Bill) Hanley (2007). Carolyn and Bill retired to NH, and like always, she served her local church, Bristol Baptist Church, for the last 10 years. Her husband, William Hanley, died in early 2024.

Carolyn is survived by her two children: William (Scot) and his wife Lisa Crispin, Bonnie Elizabeth and her husband Gary Lassell; her grandchildren Andrew, Maury, Rose and Emily, Lyla; and niece Patricia Jean Hodson.

In addition to her first husband, Carolyn is predeceased by her brother Marion (Bud) Hodson, and nephew, Michael J. Hodson.

Carolyn’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 17 at Austin Square Baptist Church, 10 Keslar Ave., Lynn MA. A visitation will precede the service, at 10 am, with the funeral at 11 am. A spring burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Alexandria, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carolyn’s name may be directed to Bristol Baptist Church, 20 Summer Street, Bristol, NH 03222.