Obituary of Caroline "Carnie" Taft Lyman

Caroline "Carnie" Taft Lyman, 95, of Woodstock, died on February 22, 2007 at the Westview Care & Rehabilitation Center in Dayville, where she had resided for two years. Carnie was born in Wallingford, Vermont, on January 27, 1912, the third of the six children of Raymond and Maud Taft. She was born at home and liked to recall that the family doctor sent a horse-drawn sleigh to Rutland for a nurse to care for her and her mother. Carnie's family was very dear to her, and the Taft family relished every opportunity to be together. The close and loving family relationships of today are the legacy of Carnie's devotion to family. Carnie graduated from the University of Vermont and taught school in Bennington before marrying Corbin C. Lyman in 1935. They resided in Glens Falls, New York, for many years, as well as in Poultney, Vermont, from 1952 - 1954, and in New London, from 1966 - 1971. Following Corb's death in 1978, Carnie moved to Woodstock to be close to her son Bruce. Carnie was a loving wife and mother who devoted her life to caring for her family and others. She took strong interest in the lives of young people and nurtured relationships across generations. An excellent seamstress, baker of cookies, gardener, avid reader, bird lover, and ornament maker, she also enjoyed traveling and cultivated many friends along the way. She and Corb were both active in church activities. Carnie is survived by her son, Dr. Bruce Lyman of Woodstock; a daughter, Margaret Leinbach of Lexington, Virginia; a brother, Hugh Taft of Hanover, New Hampshire; 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her husband and daughter Patricia preceded her in death. Smith & Walker Funeral Home handled the arrangements. A memorial service will be held in Wallingford, Vermont, at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Century Fund of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, P.O. 147, Woodstock, CT, 06281.