SOSUA, Dominican Republic (12 Feb 2009) — A Carlisle woman described as the 'lynchpin' of her community and known by thousands of people has drowned while on holiday in the Caribbean. Lynn Caslin, manager of Morton Community Centre in Carlisle, was one of six people killed when the popular snorkelling and dive resort of Sosua in the Dominican Republic was hit by torrential rain and strong surf on Tuesday. She was on a two-week holiday and due to come home the next day. Her husband Sam returned from the resort to their Wigton Road home yesterday to inform family and friends. The Foreign Office said it was continuing to give him consular support. Devastated colleagues were told of the 47-year-old's death last night. A notice informing the thousands of centre users was posted on the front door this morning. Mary Styth, chairwoman of the community centre, had known Mrs Caslin, a mother of three, since she was a child. Mrs Styth said: "She was the most wonderful, cheerful, bubbly person you could wish to meet. "I never saw Lynn with a frown on her face. We're all so sad and our thoughts are with the family." The waters at the resort are said to be "calm, clear and a deep shade of turquoise" and are popular with snorklers, who can see tropical fish and marine life. The shallow reefs are ideal for learner divers. Torrential rains have triggered landslides and damaged homes, bridges and roads, and an estimated 12,000 people were evacuated in the north and north-east of the country. Mrs Styth said: "Lynn was our friend and manager and she was a great friend to all the community. "Not only was she the core of her family, she was the core of this centre. She was so widely known throughout the community. "We have 12,000 people a month using the centre and each and every one of them knew Lynn personally." | | Popular community center manager Lynn Caslin died while diving at Sosua Resort in the Dominican Republic. In 2005, Mrs Caslin lead the team which set up the emergency council centre in the wake of the Carlisle floods. Mrs Styth, a city councillor, added: "I personally believe she is irreplaceable. Trying to think of this place without Lynn is something we can't get our heads around at the moment. "We're asking centre users and the general public to support our staff at this time." Mrs Caslin would often work at weekends and evenings, supporting the many activities at the centre, from children's football to gala days and flower shows. Family friend and Morton councillor John Bell said: "We're so shocked. She was the lynchpin in the community centre and I can't believe it. "Her loyalty and commitment to this community was so high." |
