Carolyn Dunn

Carolyn Dunn passed away peacefully on December 14 at home. Carolyn was an amazing mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend. We will all miss her more than we can say. Carolyn was an independent lady and one of the smartest people we knew.

In 1960, at the tender age of 22, she moved from Louisville, KY to Redlands, CA to begin her career teaching science in Junior High Schools. In 1962, she moved to France to teach science for the Dependent Schools for the US Air Force. While in France, she met and married Charles Ray Dunn, a pilot in the USAF. Later that year, her only daughter, Lynley, was born.

Carolyn moved back to Louisville in 1970 after she and Ray divorced. She went back to school at the University of Louisville and earned her Master’s degree in Molecular Biology. She and Lynley then moved to Columbus, Ohio where Carolyn received her PhD in Botany from Ohio State University. She continued her teaching career at the University of Illinois and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She taught at UNCW from 1979 until her retirement in 2003. After retiring, she designed and taught online courses for UNCW until 2020.

Carolyn returned to Louisville in 2003 to be with her daughter and family. Her grandchildren, Carley and Emily, were the apple of her eye. She was instrumental in encouraging them both to pursue their passions and try new things. She was frequently heard offering fifty dollars if they would try a bite of some new food. Carolyn was a generous soul. She may have spoiled us all a little too much, but she would just say, “Look how good you all turned out.”

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emma Sherrer, and numerous dogs, many named Pepper, who we are sure were delighted to welcome her home in the wee hours of Dec. 14. She is survived by her daughter, Lynley Schroering (Scott), Carley Niehaus (Tanner), and Emily Jones (Wade). We wish to thank the many nurses and staff at Forest Springs Health Campus and Hosparus of Louisville who assisted Carolyn and her family in her last years and final days. Visitation and funeral services will be held at Resthaven, Arch L. Heady on Bardstown Road. Visitation will be from 4 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, December 19. Funeral Services will be on Friday, December 20 beginning at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolyn's memory may be made to Kentucky Humane Society .