Lynn D (Bassett) Sarao

Leominster - Lynn D. (Bassett) Sarao, 72, of Leominster, died December 19, 2024, after a lengthy battle with dementia. She was born October 14, 1952, in Leominster, MA, daughter of the late Harold L. Bassett Jr. and Janet L. (Kingsbury) Bassett.

Second oldest in a family of loud and energetic sisters, Lynn was a social butterfly who could be seen at every school function and T.A.G. dance, or hanging out at Monument Square with her pet monkey, Annie.

Her lifelong passion for nursing started at the age of 14 as a candy-striper at Fairlawn nursing home. After her graduation from Leominster High School (Class of 1970), she was certified as an LPN in 1971. She would recall with pride her early years of training while tending to the G.I.s at Fort Devens.

In 1972, Lynn married, purchased a home, and began her second calling as a mother. She split her time between being a Mom, working at Leominster Hospital in the Foster wing, and supporting her husband’s family business, Tony’s Bakery, on 6th Street.

Nothing could keep Lynn from her patients — not even the Blizzard of 1978, when she commuted by snowmobile. Through it all, Lynn always made time for her kids. Whether that was driving carpool, attending their various concerts, recitals, plays, or sporting events, or planning epic themed parties.

Lynn returned to school after hospital layoffs to earn an RN in 1986 at Mount Wachusett Community College, and began a 20-year dream job working for Dr. Peter Workum, alongside volunteering at a free tuberculosis clinic.

Lynn had an outfit for every occasion — past, present and future, and was eager to tell you she got them all on sale. This included her extensive collection of costumes.

Once her kids were grown, Lynn set her sights on community service and seeing the world. She was an active member of the Sons of Italy and Montachusett Area Rotary Club, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow and RYLA Chair. With Habitat for Humanity, she built housing, schools, and playgrounds in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Guyana, and Brazil. She took her love and music and Rice Krispy Treats wherever she went, and dancing was sure to follow.

In the later days of her career, she worked for several long-term care facilities, private duty, and the Department of Corrections.

Upon retirement she spent the bulk of her time lounging at the beach, gardening, and riding her mower around the lawn with a Smirnoff Ice in the cup holder and her beloved dog, Molly, on her lap.

Lynn is survived by her two daughters: Carrie Schuster, her husband Paul, and their children Hank and Sophia, of Leominster; and Karen Sarao, of Boston; her three sisters: Deborah Gilbert and partner Craig, of Orange; Jean Ricci and her husband Mike, of Fitchburg; and Joan Maillet and her husband Brian, of Templeton, adoring nieces and nephews: Kristopher, Dawn, Michael, Jennifer, Alissa, Christy, William, grand nieces, grand nephews, and numerous close friends whose children lovingly called her Auntie Lynn. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Michael Bassett and a sister, Pamela Bassett.

Lynn leaves behind a legacy of compassion, selflessness, humor, vast medical knowledge, the uncanny ability to set off the smoke detector while cooking steak, and the belief that saltwater and the Beatles can cure anything. She was loved by everyone that was privileged enough to know her.

A Funeral Service will be held Monday, December 30, 2024 at 11:00 am at Wright-Roy Funeral Home, Inc., 109 West Street, Leominster, MA. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held Sunday, December 29th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, at the funeral home.

If you’re so inclined please wear blue in celebration of Lynn’s life, especially if you got your outfit on sale.

In lieu of flowers, which she was allergic to, please consider a donation to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in her name.

To leave a message of condolence visit; www.wrightroyfuneralhome.com

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