Carolyn E. Fredette of 12 Ford Street, Gardner, MA passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the Quabbin Valley Medical Center. She was 74 years old.

Carolyn was born on January 3, 1943, in Newburyport, MA during a winter storm.  She was the second of twin girls. Her great uncle, Lawrence Murphy, a local doctor, delivered the twins. He was surprised to see little Carolyn after delivering older sister, Linda, exclaiming, “There is another one in there!” Linda and Carolyn would grow up to be not just sisters, but life-long best friends. Carolyn is looking down from heaven now at Linda and saying, “Thank you my friend.  Thank you for everything.”

One of seven children born to Gilbert F. and Helen R. Mills, Carolyn grew up in Lunenburg, MA after a short stint in Fitchburg, MA.  In the summer of 1963 she met John E. McFadden Jr. in Hyannis, married after a brief courtship, and had two children, settling in Natick, MA.  The couple separated in 1973 and divorced ten years later.  In the late 1980’s she met Charles “Chuck” Fredette from Worcester, MA.  They married on September 23, 1989, and moved to California.  The two were only married six years before Chuck died after a brief illness. Carolyn recalled her time with Chuck in California fondly. Carolyn relocated to Fitchburg, MA where she lived for several years in a home she purchased from the estate of her late aunt, Rosa.  She eventually settled in Gardner, MA with her sister, Linda.

A 1960 graduate of Lunenburg High School, Carolyn went on to beauty school and became a trained hair stylist, achieving a childhood dream.  Carolyn’s career went on to include a variety of book keeping and administrative roles in business and government agencies.  She retired from the Fitchburg Housing Authority in 2005. Carolyn would often recount all the wonderful people she worked with and became friends with over the years.

Carolyn was an avid gardener and loved to cook and bake, often using family recipes handed down to her from her mother and grandmother. She was also an animal lover, almost never being without a number of cats and dogs and a tank full of fish.

Carolyn leaves behind her two children Laura Lynn Morrissey of Gilmanton, NH and husband James Morrissey; son John E. McFadden III of Beverly, MA and wife, Patricia Langdon-McFadden; and her beloved grandson, Ryan McFadden.

She is also survived by five siblings: Richard Mills of  Lunenburg, MA; Her best friend and twin sister, Linda  Banville of Gardner, MA; Virginia Mills of Kalamazoo, MI; Charles Mills of Fitchburg, MA; Marcia Marjomaa of Gardner, MA; ten nieces and nephews; Stephen Banville of Templeton, MA; Denise Flinkstrom of Templeton, MA; Danica Copp of Woodbridge, Virginia; Corinna Cusson of Boston, MA; Brandon Mills of Norwood, MA; Heather Mills of Leominster, MA; Nathan Mills of Leominster, MA; Kristin Gengler of Fitchburg, MA; Michael Marjomaa of Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania; Katelyn Muollo of Peabody, MA and several grandnieces and nephews.

Carolyn was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Fredette formerly of Lodi, California; her parents and her older sister, Elizabeth Beaulac, formerly of Woodbridge, Virginia. 

Heartfelt thanks go to the nurses and staff at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol, MA, who lovingly cared for Carolyn during her brief stay.

Calling hours will be held at the Bosk Funeral Home 85 Blossom Street, Fitchburg, MA on Thursday, December 14, 2017 from 4pm to 7pm.

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