Obituary of Lynn M. DeNino-Fahey

Lynn DeNino-Fahey, 61, of Glastonbury, died peacefully May 29, 2018, at Hartford Hospital following a courageous battle with a glioblastoma brain tumor. She fought every day right until the end with dignity, love and caring for her family, friends and other loved ones. Her son Jonathan, and his fiancé, Taya, as well as son Michael and beloved husband, Martin, all of Glastonbury, were with her in the last hours of her struggle, bringing support, comfort and love Lynn was a devoted mother, raising her children by the Golden Rule and also brought these same instincts and caring to hundreds of young elementary school children. She spent nearly 20 years passionately teaching in the Glastonbury school system. She introduced many of their first lessons in a variety of subjects including math, geography, writing and reading, her favorite of all. She cared for each individually, working with each child, parents and other caregivers. She made teaching a family affair by bringing her late father, Walter DeNino, to her classes to tutor math. Both father and daughter loved the shared experience of teaching together. She also took these special talents to college students at the University of St. Joseph, mentoring teachers-in-training to be effective in the classroom, to understand love to give to each student and to develop the skills that would help each child learn. 

A following of friends could be found around Lynn throughout her life, and most especially during her 21-month battle with brain cancer. Their times together were always meaningful, had many shared laughs and often included sharing fond memories of good times. Those around her most often were the three “Pats,” Patti Samiotis, of Berlin, whom she knew since kindergarten, Pat Mead, of Glastonbury, tennis partner at Minnechaug Swim and Tennis Club, and Pat Rondinone, also of Glastonbury, a colleague from an early career as dental assistants. Lynn was devoted to her niece, Cristina Bonfiglio, of Bolton, MA, with whom she shared trips, shopping excursions and other outings through the years. Lynn’s sister, Leslie DeNino, also of Bolton, Mass., could be found with them as well. The three would often team up for vacations with her mother, Gertrude “Trudy” DeNino, of Glastonbury. Lynn was devoted to her mother, caring for her and spending much time with her. They were best of friends. Lynn also leaves brothers, Walter, of South Windsor, and Frank of Boulder, CO. She also leaves several other nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Wen of Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, Dr. Jeffrey Baker, Lynn’s medical oncologist, Dr. Paul Schwartz, her neurosurgeon, and at Hartford Hospital the nurses, doctors and staff of the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center, Conklin Building Floor 2, and the Hospice Palliative Care Unit for their amazing compassion and care. The family would also like to thank the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the National Brain Tumor Society http://braintumor.org/.  A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 11 a.m., at St. Dunstan Church, 1345 Manchester Road, Glastonbury. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Mulryan Funeral Home, Glastonbury, is in care of arrangements.  For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.