Lynn Deasy Comes Home

By Michael Cobb

How did you come to Norfolk?
I was born in Norfolk. Over the years I have lived in a variety of places including Davidson, N.C., Boston, Kenya and numerous towns in Connecticut. In 2005, my husband Tim and I returned to Norfolk and bought the property where I grew up. My mother, Dottie Satherlie—who turned 101 years old this past October—came with the house. 

What do you do here? 
From 2005, until my retirement in 2017 from Hartford Hospital as a registered nurse, I didn’t really have much time to get reacquainted with this great town.  I worked long hours at the hospital and my commute alone ate up 14-plus hours per week. Since retirement I have become more involved with the community and have increased the work I do for my favorite non-profit organizations. I am one of the co-founders of SOTENI International, an organization that works to break the cycle of poverty and disease in three villages in Kenya by advancing new businesses, improving healthcare services and promoting economic opportunity. I am the treasurer of the Norfolk Connecticut Children’s Foundation, an organization that was created in 1985 when my parents closed Laurel School, their residential school for mentally challenged children. I am the director of the Norfolk Food Pantry, and I am also on the board of the Norfolk Center Cemetery.

What’s the best part of your job?
The best part about being retired is that I can keep busy doing things that I am passionate about and that I know positively impact the lives of many. It also has allowed me to get reacquainted with Norfolk and the people who live here. Growing up I knew almost everyone in Norfolk. That is no longer true. When I meet new folks in town, I love hearing their “story” of who they are and why they chose Norfolk to live.

How have you seen Norfolk change over the years?
Although I have seen many changes in Norfolk over the years, there are still so many wonderful things that have not changed: Lazy afternoons at Tobey Pond reading a favorite novel; hiking at Haystack Mountain, Dennis Hill, Barbour Woods; feeling safe and comfortable to walk anywhere in town and spending time inside our amazing library enjoying and admiring the resources and history. The most striking change for me is the lack of young families with children, that is clearly seen with the decreased enrollment at Botelle School and no Sunday School at the Church of Christ. 

What do you like best about living in Norfolk? 
Feeling safe. Knowing that all I need to do is to call any number of folks in town and they would be ready to assist with whatever issue or question I had. 

What do you like least?
That we don’t have young families moving into town. Norfolk is an idyllic place to grow up in and the perfect environment to raise a family. Until we can figure out how to provide affordable housing, this town will not be able to attract the younger generation, and it will be a terrible loss going forward.

Favorite season? 
I have always loved Autumn—walking with my dog, Lincoln, in the woods and smelling the fresh air and newly fallen leaves. Having said that, however, I enjoy all the seasons!

Favorite place(s) in Norfolk? 
Any place outside

What are you looking forward to?
Improving my pickleball game.

Anything else you want to say?
I feel so blessed to have grown up in this town and that my life’s journey has brought me back home.