Carole Janet Dunham

Carole Janet (Graham) Dunham, age 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Hulitar Hope Hospice House in Providence, Rhode Island, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 5, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Henry Graham and Jennie (Blaser) Leighton. Carole was raised in Sharon, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Sharon High School with the Class of 1961. Following her graduation, Carole took a position with the Foxboro Company for two years.

After getting married, Carole traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to Germany to make her home with her then husband, Carroll J. Dunham, while he completed his tour of duty in the military. Carole became excellent at shining boots, so much so, that she was sought after by many other soldiers to polish their boots. She truly enjoyed her sixteen months overseas, taking in the sights and German culture. Upon her return home from abroad in August 1964, Carole settled back into her childhood home in Sharon, before making her own home and family on Pierce Street in Foxborough a short time later. Following a divorce, Carole moved to Spring Street in Foxborough, where she took on the role of a single homemaker, raising and caring for her two young children, Kimberley and Roy. She became known as a second mother to many of the kids there, playing an active role in the village that helped raise many children including her own.

As her kids grew up, Carole returned to her career in 1968, taking a position with Pondville Hospital in Norfolk, working as an administrative assistant. When a mobile home became available in the same park as her mother, Carole bought her first home on Washington Street, in Foxboro, in 1987. Carole remained at Pondville Hospital through the re-branding as Southwood Hospital and its eventual closure. She transferred over to the hospital’s sister location, Norwood Hospital, where she served as the lead billing coordinator in paramedic services until her retirement in 2009. She greatly enjoyed working with her ambulance guys, some of whom would drive her to work because we all knew Carole wouldn’t drive once the first snowflake fell.

Throughout her life, Carole enjoyed family parties and talking with her mom and siblings, especially her older sister, Anne, who was her very best friend. She loved shopping at Ann&Hope for her curtains, and the Christmas Tree Shoppes for the little shoe figurines she used to collect. She also loved shopping on the QVC network on television, often completing her entire Christmas list before September. Over the years, she and her girlfriends from work went to see Elvis (the best show), Liberace (fabulous), Mac Davies, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, the Lennon Sisters, Buddy Hackett (horrible), Vince Gill and Glen Campbell.

As Carole welcomed her grandchildren, she took on an active role, embracing the title of "Nana" and often hosting sleepovers, complete with the gourmet Kraft Mac and Cheese and hot dogs, the best ham and cheese sandwiches, videos like Kiki’s Delivery Service and nights spent falling asleep to her favorite singer, Elvis. While she loved spending time with her grandchildren, Carole also looked forward to spending time with her son's family’s dogs, keeping an eye on them whenever the family was away. She would always say, “they are the best dogs”.

She spent her final years in the mobile park surrounded by a second village of loving neighbors who would spend hours chatting on her porch, helping her with errands, and keeping a close eye on her, for which her family is eternally grateful.

Loving mother of Roy Scott Dunham and his wife Deborah of Plainville, and the late Kimberley Joy Dunham Baskins and her surviving husband, Howard, of Rhode Island.

Cherished grandmother of Brittaney (Dunham) Semler and her husband Michael of Whitinsville, MA, Jacquelyn Dunham of Ft. Mohave, Arizona, Kelly Dunham of Vista, California, Stephen Dunham of Plainville; and great grandmother of Colson and Roman, and Faith and Housten.

Sister of Joseph Graham, Jr. and his late wife Marion of Attleboro, the late Anne Bishop and her late husband Herb, and the late Kenneth Graham and his late wife Lynn.

Also survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Carole's visitation on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Home Service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carole's name may be made to Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI) at 323 High Street, Walpole, MA 02081 or by visiting https://www.gofidog.org/