Lynne Maria Carino, 73, of Sandy Hook passed away on January 23 at Regional Hospice in Danbury. She was born April 15, 1951, in Bridgeport, raised in Trumbull and graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1974. At Central, Lynne met her husband Dave and the two embarked on a 53-year partnership that she fondly quipped was, “never boring.” Together, they chose Newtown as the place to raise their family and have remained proud residents for 39 years.

Lynne’s passion was her devotion to her family as a spouse, mother and grandmother. There was nothing in this world she valued over the best interest of those she loved most. In just being her patient and positive self, she created a home and family life that radiated warmth. She did not see those around her as a reflection of her, but as their own people and accepted and loved them for who they were. Lynne truly worked “in the trenches” alongside her daughters in raising their families, taking on the most colicky of babies and rambunctious toddlers with grace and humor. She was always there for all of us, whether it was in the front row at a school play, on the sidelines, or in the middle of the night for a phone call. All of this was done without the expectation of praise or reciprocation.

Day to day Lynne delighted in working in her yard and flower garden, standing over a pot of sauce and taking walks around the neighborhood. But her proudest accomplishment was the friendships she cultivated throughout her lifetime. During an oncology appointment when a doctor asked what hobbies she enjoyed most she answered, “just being with my friends and family.” She genuinely delighted in the triumphs of her friends and their families, a steadfast supporter in good times and bad. She felt so blessed to be able to look back fondly on all the fun dinners, picnics, parties, trips and even the quiet nights among her girlfriends where they polished off more than a few bottles of wine. She felt an immeasurable amount of gratitude to the army of people who came out to support her in her graceful journey through treatment and the end stages of life.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, David Carino; daughter Jessica Santaniello and husband Billy of Fairfield; daughter Erica Carino and husband Brian Sharnick of Newtown; and five cherished grandchildren: Caroline, Allison and Liam Santaniello, and Lucy and Robert Sharnick.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Lynne’s life will be held at 11 am Friday, January 31, at St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown.

Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, is serving the family.