WINTHROP - Caroline (Palleschi) Dunkerton, of Winthrop and formerly of Dorchester, N.H., died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, after a brief illness. Caroline was born in Italy on Sept. 27, 1910, the daughter of Wilhelmina and Domenic Palleschi. In 1912, Caroline and her mother journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean to America from Italy on a German boat and landed on Ellis Island. Caroline became a United States citizen in 1938 and spent her childhood in Rumford. She married Edward Dunkerton, a semiprofessional baseball player and long-haul truck driver, and worked for Split Ball Bearing Inc., in Lebanon, N.H. Caroline was an active member in the Canaan (N.H.) Methodist Church and Dorchester (N.H.) Grange 280, where she enjoyed baking, crafts and time spent with dear friends. She also became an active member of Winthrop Methodist Church. Caroline lovingly cared for her husband, Edward, in their home after he became afflicted with Parkinson's disease. After her husband's death in 1989, she relocated to Winthrop to be closer to her son, Donald, and his family. A lover of nature, Caroline enjoyed working in her garden, bird watching, cooking, knitting and family gatherings with her extended family. Caroline also was a lover of American history, baseball and country music, and enjoyed traveling and bus tours to Washington, D.C.; the Pocanos in Pennsylvania; Branson, Mo.; and Nashville. Caroline was a supporter of Farm Aid, American Indians and various charities that promoted research into children's diseases. In her earlier years, she frequented Lake Winnipesaukee with her brothers and sisters during the summer months. Caroline was also an avid participant in snowshoeing, as it allowed her to be closer to nature in the winter months. Caroline was also a lover of cats. Caroline was predeceased by her sons, Ernest Loisel, in 1978; and Donald Palleschi, in 2007. She also was predeceased by her brother, Robert Palleschi, formerly of Portsmouth, N.H.; sister Josephine (Palleschi) Patenaude, formerly of Weymouth, Mass.; husband Edward Dunkerton; brother-in-law Frank Pendergast, formerly of West Simsbury, Conn.; daughter-in-law Ruby Loisel; and grandson Gary Loisel. Caroline is survived by her sister, Theresa Pendergast, of West Simsbury, Conn.; brother Dominic Palleschi, of Rumford; former daughter-in-law Maria Palleschi, of Winthrop; stepson Clayton Dunkerton, of New Hampshire; nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. A service celebrating Caroline's life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, at Winthrop United Methodist Church, Main Street, Winthrop, with the Rev. Don Hegeman officiating. An additional service is planned in the spring in New Hampshire, where she will be laid to rest beside her dear husband, Edward, in Dorchester Cemetery, Dorchester, N.H. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, ME 04364. www.khrfuneralhomes.com