Obituary of Caroline B. Reynolds

Burnt Hills- Caroline B. Reynolds, 91, of Burnt Hills, died at home on April 13, 2010, with her family at her side. Born in Dayton, OH, daughter of the late Sylvester and Elsie Lotz Britton, Caroline was a graduate of Fairmont High School in 1936 and Purdue University in 1941, the only woman in her class to receive a degree in Horticulture. She received her MS in Elementary Education at SUNY Oneonta in 1966 as part of the Intensive Teacher Training program. She married her husband Merl T. Reynolds April 12, 1942 and moved to Schenectady in 1942. They made their home in Burnt Hills in 1946, renovating a 1776 farmhouse in which they lived for the rest of their lives. Caroline was an elementary school teacher in the Schenectady School District, teaching at Horace Mann and Zoller schools. She retired in 1973. She was predeceased by her husband in 2003 after 60 years of marriage. Caroline was a member of Annie Schaffer Sr. Citizens Center, Schenectady Retired Teachers Association and Faith United Methodist Church, formerly Trinity Methodist, where she was a member of the Administrative Board. For many years she and her husband Merl hosted the Refreshing Spring Day Care Center Summer Day Camp. Caroline enjoyed gardening, raising ducks, reading, doing crossword puzzles, studying French, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and chocolate. She is survived by her 4 children, Jeanette Reynolds Keenan, Nancy L. Reynolds, Christopher R. Reynolds, and Thomas Reynolds; 7 grandsons, Thomas Keenan, Craig Keenan, Jesse De Graff, Seth De Graff, Zachary De Graff, Joshua Reynolds and Benjamin Reynolds; 5 great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Aidan, Cailynn, Camille and Quinlan; her sister, Dorothy Van Rossen of Washington State; and her beloved cat, Niko. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on July 24 at 4 pm at Faith United Methodist Church in Schenectady, with calling hours in the church lounge at 3pm. Burial will be in Centerville, Indiana, in the summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Caroline's memory may be made to Faith United Methodist Church; Beaversprite Sanctuary, 155 Wyman Rd. Dolgeville, NY 13329; or The Gorilla Foundation/koko.org, P.O. Box 620530, Woodside CA 94062.