Born October 2, 1921, in Washington, DC, Emily Kent Linton grew up on Holly Springs Farm in Charles County, MD. She spoke of walking to a one-room school house, traveling longer distances by horse and buggy, and of her many household chores due to lack of running water, electricity, and central heat. She loved playing with her brothers and sister and being outdoors in the woods and fields. The 4H Club was an important part of her early life.
Emily attended Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College, and graduated with a B.A. in Home Economics and Physical Education in 1942. She taught both subjects in public schools for the next four years. College was where she met John Low Carnochan, Jr. who she married in 1943. After World War II, Emily and John settled in Hagerstown and started their family. In 1961 Emily packed up her household and her five children and moved to Rye, NY, so the family would be together as John finished his doctoral studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. Back in Maryland in 1962, while expecting her sixth child, Emily was involved in the design, construction, and furnishing of the family’s unique modern home, inspired by their time in Rye. She returned to teaching during these years to help out financially. In 1964 when John was appointed Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools, the family moved to Frederick where Emily and John lived for 42 years until their move to Buckingham’s Choice retirement community in 2006.
Emily was active in church work wherever she lived, especially youth work. She was one of the originators of the Frederick Hot Line and the Frederick Group Home for Children in Need of Supervision. In 1970 she was a delegate to the White House Conference on Children and Youth. In 1976 she joined HomeCall, Inc., a provider of non-medical services for older persons in their homes, where she worked in many capacities including Managing Home Economist, Director of Personnel and Training, and Assistant to the President. Emily was the first woman chair of the administrative board of Calvary Methodist Church. She and John received the 2003 Reinberger Award in recognition of their many years of community service and dedication to Frederick families.
Emily was active in the Frederick Art Club and the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in keeping with her lifelong interest in art, design, and music. She enjoyed playing tennis to the age of 75 and ping pong into her late 90s. She and John traveled throughout the United States and to Europe. She was a loving mother and talented homemaker. She was generous, gracious, and kind, with a quick wit and sense of fun. All who knew her, loved her.
Emily died surrounded by love at Buckingham’s Choice Retirement Center, Adamstown, MD on May 31, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Dr. John Low Carnochan, Jr., her brothers Leonard Marbury Linton and Samuel C. Linton, Jr., her sister-in-law Agnes Carnochan Wallace, her son-in-law Jack Daiger, and her cherished late-life companion Allan Shaw. She is survived by her six children and their spouses: John Carnochan and wife Kathy Levitt of Los Angeles, David Carnochan and wife Barbara Watkins of Boston, Susan Carnochan and husband David Ray of New York, Jeannie Hessler and husband Kevin Hessler of Frederick, Carol Daiger and fiancé Peter Kremers of Frederick, Robert Carnochan and wife Karen Salwerowicz of Miami; by her eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren; by her many nieces and nephews; and by her beloved sister Elizabeth (Betty) deKeyser.
A memorial service for Buckingham’s Choice residents and staff will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday June 22, 2023.
A celebration of Emily’s life – open to all – will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday July 23, 2023 at Musket Ridge Golf Club, 3555 Brethren Church Rd., Myersville, MD 21773.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Buckingham’s Choice Resident Assistance Fund, 3200 Baker Circle, Adamstown, MD 21710. Interment will be private.
