SOUTH CHINA -- Carolyn (Tibbetts) Ballantyne, age 77, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at her home following a long illness.

She was born in Windsor on Jan. 9, 1932, the daughter of John C. and Harriet (Greeley) Tibbetts. She married Gordon R. Ballantyne Jr. on Sept. 7, 1952. He passed away in 2001.

Carolyn grew up in Palermo. At the age of 12, she drove a horse and wagon to the one-room East Palermo School. She graduated from Winthrop High School in 1949 and was employed by Pine State and the Veterans Administration at Togus until her children were born. Carolyn was employed at Banton Lumber and later became an insurance agent. For a number of years she managed the Tilton Insurance Agency, Nelson Branch, in South China.

After her retirement in 1986, she and her husband traveled and lived for months at a time in various locations throughout the United States. They also made a trip to Scotland to research Gordon's family history. Her main hobby was genealogy, which she became interested in at a young age. Carolyn spent many years compiling and indexing the Marble Monument Records, which were published for public use, and was appointed in 2008 to serve on the Maine Historical Records Advisory Board.

She was active in many local organizations. Carolyn was a charter member and past president of the Maine Old Cemetery Association and was an honorary life member of the board of directors. She was a charter member of the Palermo Historical Society. She was also a member of the Maine Genealogical Society, the Maine Historical Society, the New England Historic and Genealogical Society and the Somerville Historical Society. She was also a member of the Sheepscot Lake Fish and Game Association, the Palermo and Rangeley snowmobile clubs, and the South China American Legion Auxiliary, Post 179. She attended the Palermo Christian Church.

She was predeceased by her husband; her parents; and two sisters, Frances (Tibbetts) Lenfest and Sylvia Annie Tibbetts.

She is survived by her children, Laurie Faith Ballantyne Curtis and her husband, Dennis, of Augusta, Bruce Gordon Ballantyne of Palermo and his wife, Kimberly, of Gorham and David Andrew Ballantyne and his wife, Sheila,of China; eight grandchildren, Nathan W. Curtis, Michael G. Curtis, Kendrick J. Ballantyne, Keegan G. Ballantyne, Kayleigh R. Ballantyne, Andrew G. Ballantyne, Benjamin J. Ballantyne and Jonathan D. Ballantyne; her great-granddaughter, Julianna L. Curtis; four sisters, Elsie (Tibbetts) Adams of Palermo, Beryl (Tibbetts) Glidden of Vassalboro, Betty (Tibbetts) Glidden of Palermo and Marcia (Tibbetts) Taber of Syracuse, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Faith (Ballantyne) Whittier of Melrose, Mass.; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home -- Gray Chapel, 207 Windsor Neck Road, Windsor. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Palermo Christian Church in Palermo. Burial will follow at Branch Mills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Carolyn has requested that donations be made to the Palermo Historical Society, P.O. Box 13, Palermo, ME 04354.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lawrybroth ers.com.

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home -- Gray Chapel, 207 Windsor Neck Road, Windsor; (800) 660-2111.