LEWISTON – Pauline M. Gwadosky, 85, of Fairfield, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with her family by her side.

She was born on Jan. 26, 1922, in Waterville, the daughter of Albert and Pauline (Ryan) Moore.

She was educated in Fairfield schools and graduated from Lawrence High School. In high school, she served proudly as the manager of George Wentworth’s 1939 girls’ state championship basketball team. She has remained friends with her teammates for the past 68 years.

She was an avid skier and nurtured, early in life, a love of fishing, particularly at Moosehead Lake.

She married Joseph Gwadosky on Oct. 4, 1947. They resided on Silver Street, her childhood home in Fairfield, where she lived for her entire life.

She was first employed as a secretary for the superintendent of schools in Fairfield. She later served as a legal secretary at the law offices of Weeks, Hutchins, Frye, Welch and O’Donnell located in Waterville. She was a member of the Fairfield United Methodist Church.

Before and after her retirement, Polly was very active in her community. For 21 years, she touched the lives of hundreds of girls when she served as the mother advisor for the area Rainbow for Girls Association, a character-building organization for young women.

She was a life member of Merrymeeting Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. She was the holder of the Grand Cross of Color awarded to her by the Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

She was a member of the Lawrence High School Alumni Association and received its “Bulldog Award,” given to distinguished alumni.

She served as co-chair of the Fairfield Bicentennial celebration in 1990, and then continued with her son, Dan, as co-chairs of the Fairfield Community Festival for ten years. She was treasurer of the Fairfield Democratic Party and served for years on the board of voter registration.

Polly worked tirelessly on hundreds of political campaigns. The “Blue and Gray” never left her heart as she volunteered thousands of hours to make Fairfield, her hometown, number one. She was unrelenting in her interest and giving spirit to others as a mother, volunteer and friend. She was a stylish woman who spoke her mind and possessed a fast wit and wonderful sense of humor.

Her retirement years allowed her to pursue spending time at Tacoma Lakes with her daughter, Bonnie, and son-in-law. She enjoyed boating and lake life and had many summer friends. She was an official Maine loon counter and participated in the count each summer. She enjoyed the ocean and Maine coast, especially Bayside.

She loved to travel and meet people. She was an avid fan of the PGA golf tour and the University of Maine women’s basketball team. She took great interest in her friendship with and the accomplishments of her grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, and her two brothers, Albert Moore of Waterville and Ben T. Moore of Greenville.

Surviving are two loving children, her daughter, Bonnie Adams and her husband, James, of Monmouth; and her son, Dan Gwadosky and his wife, Cheryl of Augusta; a brother-in-law, several sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

She was especially proud of her two grandchildren, Joshua Gwadosky of Orono, and Jessica Gwadosky of Augusta.

She was fond of her long term companion and special cat, Tiffany.