Carolyn Gianunzio

Passed away Friday, January 30 in Lebanon, TN at age 78, after a short illness. Carolyn was born on June 26, 1947 in Kalamazoo and resided there for over seventy years. She was the daughter of Emma "Peggy" (Kopp) Crowder and A. Kenneth Hartman.

Carolyn had many jobs, but one of the longest was as a magazine and greeting card merchandiser. She was a self-proclaimed band geek in high school and studied elementary education at Western Michigan University, where she attained a B.A. Carolyn loved to travel, sparked by an epic (and cheap) trip to Europe during college. She particularly enjoyed going on cruises, visiting the Caribbean, Europe, Polynesia and Alaska. She treasured the memories of these trips years later.

In 2000, Carolyn married Tony Gianunzio after meeting him at the Gilmore Festival. She spent some of the happiest years of her life with Tony by her side. They loved traveling and attending live music events together. They also enjoyed the company of a wonderful group of friends who met for coffee nearly every morning.

Personally, Carolyn had a happy disposition and a ready smile which made it easy for her to make friends. She was kind, provided emotional support when times were tough and looked for the best in people. She enjoyed watching the progress of her daughter, granddaughter and her nieces and nephews and their children.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Tony. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Sonja (Doyle) Hunter of Lebanon, TN and a granddaughter, Amelia Hunter. She is also survived by two sisters, Patricia (Mark) Jensen of Comstock, MI and Jill Kissinger of Austin, TX as well as several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and numerous friends According to her wishes, Carolyn was cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held in Kalamazoo at a date TBD.