Carolyn Baumgardner Tunnell, born on September 5, 1957 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, passed away at home on April 5 in Solomons Maryland. She was 68.

Carolyn was the daughter of the late John Steward and Nellie Romaine (Babylon) Baumgardner. She is survived by her son Adam Tunnell and husband of almost 30 years, John Tunnell, Jr., and by her siblings John Steward Baumgardner, Jr., Nancy Lee Baginsky, Patricia Ann Baumgardner, and Susan Jean Baumgardner.

A graduate of Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge, Maryland, she spent much of her career working for retail companies. She held various leadership roles for companies including Ormond Shops, Inc., Conston, Inc., and United Retail Group. Later, Carolyn transitioned into optics with more than 19 years of service as a general manager and regional mentor for management training, recruitment, and customer satisfaction for LensCrafters before retiring in 2017.

Carolyn married John Payson Tunnell, Jr. at the Antrim 1844 hotel in Taneytown Maryland in September of 1996. She and John met at work and bought their first home together in Odenton. From there they moved to Millersville and then to Solomons.

Carolyn was passionate about family and friends, including mentoring many colleagues she came to know throughout her career many of whom she considered friends throughout her life. She also loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener who spent much of her free time working in her many beautiful flower gardens.

Most notably Carolyn was grateful for and adored being a mother to Adam, her only child, who was born after her 40th birthday. She, John, and Adam traveled widely together over the years to many countries around the world. Also, sailing was part of the family travels with explorations on the Chesapeake Bay, South and Patuxent Rivers, and British Virgin Islands.

Those who knew Carolyn expected a good debate about many of her passions, especially politics. A visit to the family home reliably included eating one of her delicious meals, and being assured of her offering dessert. Her homes were beautifully decorated by her with many artfully crafted elements made by hand.

Carolyn's family is mourning privately at this time. To recognize Carolyn's life and her impact on the many lives she touched, friends are encouraged to make a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).