Carolyn Morton Obituary

Carolyn "Lynn" Morton passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, surrounded by family. She was 86 years old.

The first in her family to attend college, Lynn was a proud alumna of Smith College and earned an advanced degree in history from Boston University. She had a deep commitment to education and justice. For many years she was a devoted teacher of history, political science and civics at Bradford College in Haverhill, MA, where she was treasured by her students and fellow teachers. In later mid-life, Lynn embarked on a second career, earning a JD from the New England School of Law. She served as a public defender in Lawrence, MA and was especially proud of her service to the City of Haverhill as an assistant city solicitor. Lynn served on the City Board of Election Registrars, the former Haverhill (Hale) Hospital Board, and, as a longtime Trustee of Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill. In addition to her professional career, community activities, and raising a family, Lynn was an active and astute political campaigner and advisor for many, including governors, congressmen, mayors, and many other state and local officials. She was honored to be invited and attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Born in Brooklyn, New York to Frank and Edith Morton, Lynn began her life-long passion for baseball as a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Though she grew up in Evanston, IL and Towson, MD, in 1957 she moved her allegiance to the Boston Red Sox. To Lynn the only thing better than seeing 80th birthday wishes for her on the Fenway score board, was watching her Red Sox win a World Series. Despite her commitment to the American League, and being the realist she was, in her final days she enjoyed watching the LA Dodgers take the lead in the World Series.

Lynn enjoyed good conversation, a great laugh, and especially time spent with family and friends. One of her favorite activities was going out for dinner and drinks. Lynn supported many of the local restaurants where she lived. She split the seasons between her homes in Ogunquit, ME, and Tucson, AZ.

Like her father, Lynn was an avid traveler, visiting most parts of the globe. If you gave her just about any location around the world, Lynn was quick to advise you on where to go for the best drink and an excellent meal. She recently returned from a trip to her beloved Italy with her daughter, Tina, and grandchildren. She was already planning the next trip to Europe with her family for this coming summer.

Lynn is survived by her sister, Catherene Morton; her son, Keith Whitaker and his partner Susan; her daughter Kathleen Hastings and her partner Andy; her daughter Carrie Sayward and her husband Denny; her daughter Christina Francis and her husband Aaron; ten grandchildren; one great grandchild; two nieces and a nephew; and many friends from Haverhill, MA, Ogunquit, ME, and Tucson, AZ, as well as devoted friends of Towson High School and housemates of Smith College.

A celebration of Lynn's life will be held at a time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley, in Gardiner Maine. passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, surrounded by family. She was 86 years old.

The first in her family to attend college, Lynn was a proud alumna of Smith College and earned an advanced degree in history from Boston University. She had a deep commitment to education and justice. For many years she was a devoted teacher of history, political science and civics at Bradford College in Haverhill, MA, where she was treasured by her students and fellow teachers. In later mid-life, Lynn embarked on a second career, earning a JD from the New England School of Law. She served as a public defender in Lawrence, MA and was especially proud of her service to the City of Haverhill as an assistant city solicitor. Lynn served on the City Board of Election Registrars, the former Haverhill (Hale) Hospital Board, and, as a longtime Trustee of Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill. In addition to her professional career, community activities, and raising a family, Lynn was an active and astute political campaigner and advisor for many, including governors, congressmen, mayors, and many other state and local officials. She was honored to be invited and attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Born in Brooklyn, New York to Frank and Edith Morton, Lynn began her life-long passion for baseball as a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Though she grew up in Evanston, IL and Towson, MD, in 1957 she moved her allegiance to the Boston Red Sox. To Lynn the only thing better than seeing 80th birthday wishes for her on the Fenway score board, was watching her Red Sox win a World Series. Despite her commitment to the American League, and being the realist she was, in her final days she enjoyed watching the LA Dodgers take the lead in the World Series.

Lynn enjoyed good conversation, a great laugh, and especially time spent with family and friends. One of her favorite activities was going out for dinner and drinks. Lynn supported many of the local restaurants where she lived. She split the seasons between her homes in Ogunquit, ME, and Tucson, AZ.

Like her father, Lynn was an avid traveler, visiting most parts of the globe. If you gave her just about any location around the world, Lynn was quick to advise you on where to go for the best drink and an excellent meal. She recently returned from a trip to her beloved Italy with her daughter, Tina, and grandchildren. She was already planning the next trip to Europe with her family for this coming summer.

Lynn is survived by her sister, Catherene Morton; her son, Keith Whitaker and his partner Susan; her daughter Kathleen Hastings and her partner Andy; her daughter Carrie Sayward and her husband Denny; her daughter Christina Francis and her husband Aaron; ten grandchildren; one great grandchild; two nieces and a nephew; and many friends from Haverhill, MA, Ogunquit, ME, and Tucson, AZ, as well as devoted friends of Towson High School and housemates of Smith College.

A celebration of Lynn's life will be held at a time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley, in Gardiner Maine.