Carolyn Linton Smith, 85, of East Taunton passed away on December 3, 2020 after a brief illness.
Born in Pascasgoula, Mississippi, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Estelle Linton. Carolyn, aka "Dee", raised eight children, 21 grandchildren, and one husband. She was light personified whenever there were kids running around. She gave her family the love of salty ocean air, sparklers, bottle rockets, bubbles, and gumbo. She taught them everything they know about perseverance and unconditional love. Carolyn cherished spending time with her family and was the center of many "awesome family gatherings." Her love of family was boundless.
She was beloved by many students in the Bridgewater school system, where she worked well into her 70s, retiring after nearly 40 years. A longtime resident of Bridgewater, she formed lifelong friendships with fellow Bridgewater Youth Soccer Association members, coaches, and parents. Carolyn was an exceptionally creative person – a gardener, a painter and fiber artist. After she retired, she took up coloring and could often be found surrounded by her markers and coloring books.
Although Carolyn lived in Massachusetts for over 65 years, she never forgot her southern roots. Over the years, she made many trips to see family and friends in Mississippi. Carolyn had fond memories, loved reminiscing about her childhood, and shared many stories of being on the Gulf Coast salt-water fishing and shrimping on her Daddy’s tugboat, the Mudbug.
She was the loving wife of the late Frank Smith and is survived by seven children: (Virginia) Ann Olson and her husband, Bob; Robert Smith and his wife, Sue; Mary Smith-Brown and her husband, David; Susan Pirri and her husband, Vincent; Linda DeLeo and her husband, John; Andrew Smith; and Elizabeth Walsh, and her husband Tristan.
She leaves her 21 grandchildren, all of whom she loved deeply: Gregory Brown and his wife, Carol Ann; Michelle Fratelli and her husband, Louie; Christopher Brown; Larry George, III and his wife, Catriona Munro; Tara Smith and her husband, Justin Blau; Christina Wallace; Nicholas DeLeo and his wife, Lauren; Rachel Gomes and her husband, Phil; Timothy DeLeo; Kayla Pirri; Andrew Smith and his husband, Zachary Deocadez; Brendan Wallace and his wife, Kayla; Casey DeLeo; Justin Wallace; Annalace Smith; David Pirri; Cassidy Smith; Danielle Wallace; Skylar Walsh; Corrina Walsh; and Fiona Walsh.
Carolyn also leaves 10 great grandchildren: MacKenzie Muzzey, Gabriel Wallace, Maximus Fratelli, Nina Fratelli, Fionn Brown, Aria Wallace, Maeve Brown, Dominic DeLeo, Thea Wallace and Brandon Gomes.
Carolyn is survived by her beloved brother, James and his wife, Evelyn Linton, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas, and her brothers Marvin Linton and Gerald Linton.
Due to COVID, a celebration of Carolyn's life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tommy's Place in Falmouth, Massachusetts or Magical Moon Foundation in Marshfield, Massachusetts.