1920 - 2017
Carolyn Story, of Canterbury Court in Vernon, B.C., passed away peacefully on March 16, 2017, at the age of 97 after a short illness. She was held in the love of her family, near and far away, as she ended her journey. And what a journey it was!
Born Carolyn G. Hamlin on February 13, 1920 in the small town of Gorham, New Hampshire, she grew up the second oldest of four, with her two sisters, Ruth and Mary and her brother John. The extended Hamlin family was large and loving, and was constantly interacting, which Carolyn really treasured. She graduated from Gorham High School and continued her education at the University of New Hampshire where she graduated in 194l. In the summer of 1940, she met the love of her life, Richard F. Story Sr. (Dick), who was a geology student at Harvard University. They married on June 21, 1941 and together raised five children.
For a young woman who had never been more than 200 miles from her birthplace, her life as a married woman took a very different turn. Dick, employed primarily in his career by Shell Oil Co., had over 20 transfers which took them to cities all over the U.S., to Alberta and to Holland. Never complaining of the circumstances of the moves and the hard work that it entailed, Carolyn would settle in each new location and create a welcoming home that she was proud of. Where ever she landed she indulged in her favorite hobby of attending antique auctions and loved to exhibit her “bargains” in her new home. She also enjoyed the Shell Bridge club which seemed to follow her wherever she went.
Carolyn and Dick moved to Vernon in 1985 when Dick retired. Not one to sit around, Carolyn did a lot of volunteering in the thrift shop at Schubert Center, with the SPCA, and participated in peer counseling. She also made many friends in her bridge clubs. After losing her driver’s license at the age of 90 she moved into Canterbury Court.
The hallmark of her life was the great love she held for her personal and extended family. Predeceased by her husband Dick in 1992, after close to 51 years of marriage, and also by grandson Nickolas Langley in 1998, she leaves behind her children, Richard F. Story Jr. (Diane) of Coldstream, BC, Jane E. Story of Blue Hill, Maine, John H. Story (Marilynn) of Woodinville Washington, David B. Story (Maribeth) of Houston Texas, and Pamela A. Story of Vernon, BC. Also surviving Carolyn are her seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service held for Carolyn in Vernon in June, and interment will take place in July for both Carolyn and Dick in the Hamlin family plot in Gorham NH. They will peacefully lie at the foot of Mt. Washington where they first met 77 years ago. Together again, forever and always.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Canterbury Court for their attention to Carolyn’s needs, and the nursing and medical staff at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital for their compassionate care during her last days.
Donations may be made in Carolyn’s memory to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, 2101 - 32 Street, Vernon BC VlT 5L2 or VJHfoundation.org.