Carrie (Dunn) Penchuk ’99 passed away on April 14 in Chapel Hill, N.C. after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. For five months, Carrie faced her fight with dignity and grace, inspiring all those around her with her endless courage and strength. Born on August 24, 1977 in Fresno, Calif., Carrie attended local schools and graduated from Bullard High School in 1995. Carrie excelled academically and earned a scholarship to Santa Clara University, where she obtained her B.A. in Art History with a minor in Italian in 1999, graduating cum laude. As a junior at Santa Clara, Carrie spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy where she not only studied the art and culture, but also met and fell in love with her future husband Matthew Penchuk of New Jersey. Following graduation, Carrie lived and worked in San Francisco. In 2002, Carrie and Matt returned to Italy to teach English to adults and learn Italian in the town of Saronno, just outside Milan. While in Italy they traveled extensively, taking full advantage of the opportunities to experience amazing art, ancient sites and incredible food. Upon returning from Italy, Carrie and Matt moved to Boston where she studied Speech Language Pathology at MGH Institutes of Health Professions, earning her Masters degree in 2006. For her academic excellence, Carrie received a merit scholarship from the school during her 2nd year of the program. She was lauded by her professors for her attention to detail, thoughtful presentations and incredible analytical skills. Based on her talents and achievement, Carrie was selected for a much sought after internship at Beth Israel Hospital. In 2007, Carrie and Matt moved to Raleigh, N.C. to be closer to family, where Carrie used her degree to work with children in schools, day cares and private settings. Carrie loved experiencing new adventures, be them large or small. Despite her fear of flying, Carrie and Matt traveled extensively throughout Europe and the US and were beginning to reach other parts of the world. Her last major trip was to Peru, which fulfilled her lifelong dream to see Machu Picchu. Carrie touched so many lives during her short time here on earth. People were charmed by her beautiful smile, her welcoming eyes and incredible head of hair. More importantly though, she was one of the most sincere, kindest and lovely people you would ever meet. She made nearly everyone she met want to be a better person and her manner made you believe that you could be. It is no surprise that Carrie made great friends wherever she went and that children absolutely adored her. When Carrie passed she was surrounded by her dearest friends and family, loved for her beauty, kindness and radiance until the very end. The distance people traveled and the incredible outpouring of love in the room was a testament to Carrie’s eternal beauty. Those of us that remain feel blessed to carry on her lessons on how to live and how to love. Carrie is survived by her husband Matthew of Raleigh, N.C.; mother and step-father Ann and Archie Rader of Fresno; father Larry Dunn of Fresno; sister Amy and her husband Carlos Zuniga and daughters Gabriella, Olivia, and Talia of Fresno; step-brother Doug Rader of Houston; step-sister Melodee and Mark Boos and daughters Rose and Gloria of Great Falls, Va.; mother-in-law Sara Erlich Penchuk of Teaneck, N.J.; father-in-law Nick Penchuk and wife Karen of Spring Island, S.C.; brother-in-law Andrew Penchuk and his wife Laura and boys Ben and Jack of Cary, N.C.; her grandmother Josephene Dibiaso of Los Banos, Calif.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.