Carolyn Denny Reny, 91, of Damariscotta, passed on April 16 at her home of 65 years on Biscay Pond.
Born April 15, 1925, the only child of (state senator) Edward and Inez Denny, Carolyn grew up in Damariscotta at Round Top Farm. She graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1943 and from Bradford Junior College in 1945, where “Lynn” played music and made life-long friends with Peggy, Putty and Avis.
Returning to Damariscotta, she taught piano, met and married newcomer Robert H. Reny on Feb. 25, 1950. Being musically inclined, Carolyn played the organ at St. Patrick’s Church and the violin in the local orchestra for years. She became a long-time member of the “back row” ladies at St. Patrick’s Church. She volunteered for the “Founder’s Day” yard sale at the Lincoln Home as a long-time member of the Twin Villages Woman’s Club, and at Miles Hospital lunch counter where she was known for making the best grilled cheese sandwiches around. She enjoyed many summer seasons at the cottage her father built on Damariscotta Lake.
Carolyn was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Robert H. Reny, in 2009.
Most of her life she was the matriarch of the Reny family, including sons, John and wife Kathleen of Round Pond, Robert and wife Mary Kate of Bremen, and Michael and wife Leslie of Round Pond; grandsons, Dan Reny and wife Andrea of Round Pond, Chris Reny of Damariscotta, Adam Reny and wife Cameron Jordan of Round Pond, and Tyler Reny and Becca Larson of Los Angeles; granddaughters, Faustine Reny and partner Nicholas Plumer of New Harbor, Collette Agnese and husband Kevin of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Marlie Reny and husband Miquel Moreno of Denver, Col.; and great-granddaughter, Cordelia, 15 months.
She will be missed most by her family for her gracious and loving support always, and to a lesser extent – her single-handed holiday dinners for 20-plus family and friends, and her homemade bread, applesauce, cookies and of course, her famous “dry” cake.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Fri., April 22 at St. Patrick’s Church, Academy Hill Road, Newcastle. Reverend Fred Morse will officiate.
Should friends so desire donations may be made in Mrs. Reny’s memory to the New Sanctuary Mortgage Fund, St. Patrick’s Church, P.O. Box 598, Newcastle, ME 04553.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.