Carolyn M. (Roche) Dushanek

Mrs. Carolyn M. Dushanek, of Hudson, formerly of Waltham, died peacefully on August 15, 2019. She was 86.

Carolyn was born January 20, 1933 in Waltham, a daughter of the late Severin S. and Constance H. (Bolio) Roche. She is predeceased by her younger brother, Neil Roche, of Waltham.

She grew up in Waltham and attended Waltham High School. During the war, she spent some happy times in Glastonbury, Connecticut and in East Longmeadow. In 1965 Carolyn settled in Stow where she raised her children and lived for 49 years before moving to Hudson to live with her daughter, Carole.

Carolyn loved music of all kinds, but took a special interest in Country music during the early 70's and became a reporter and photographer for the New England Country News. She had the pleasure of interviewing the likes of Dolly Parton, Faron Young, and Slim Whitman among others. Other interests included knitting, crocheting, gardening, interior design, baking, Teddy Bear collecting and most of all, dancing . . . all of which she excelled in. Often mentioned and requested by family and friends was her 'World's Best Chili'. Her love for cats was endless, having at least one in her home at any given time. She leaves behind her last best friend in the "Cat World", Dirty Harry. Carolyn was a huge Boston Bruins fan, a game that changed a sweet, quiet woman into a "Crazy Lady" when the puck dropped at center ice. She loved old Westerns and anything starring Harrison Ford or Tom Selleck; her two secret loves. Carolyn always looked forward to her annual 'get away' to Newport, Rhode Island each Fall and enjoyed many years and great memories there with her family.

As she got older, Carolyn spent time teaching some of her gifts to her grandchildren; family was the most important thing to Carolyn as she worked tirelessly to keep everyone together and instill in her children to always be a part of each other's lives. Her legacy of love for family will live on in those who had the honor of knowing her.

In addition to her parents and brother, Carolyn is reunited with her longtime companion, Paul L. Mongeon.

She leaves behind her children, Addie Littlefield, Guy Dushanek and his wife Terri, all of Stow, Carole Ashman and her husband David of Hudson, Richard Dushanek and his wife, Christine of Shirley, Constance Hryniewich of Harvard and her step-daughter, Joanne Barnes and her husband, Arthur, of Holden and her sister, Barbara Higgins of Waltham. Lovingly known as 'Nana', Carolyn leaves seven granchildren, David M. Ashman, Jr., Andrea L. Dushanek, Ganiene M. Wilson, Rachael E. Moye, Geoffrey Dushanek, Amanda D. Littlefield, and Matthew F. Hryniewich, and four great-grandchildren, Joseph, Melody, Dylan and Hailey, who affectionately called her "Greatness", and many nieces and nephews.

She was loved by all who knew her, and will be forever missed by many.

A Celebration of Life for Carolyn will be held at the Stow Council on Aging Senior Center, Rte. 117 on Saturday, September 7, at 1 pm. All who knew Carolyn are welcome.