LEWISTON – Pauline M. “Polly” Farwell, 84, of Rumford, passed away Sunday, April 12, at the Central Maine Medical Center, surrounded by her family. She was a resident of Somerset Street in Rumford.

She was born in Augusta, on May 6, 1924, a daughter of the late Leon and Esther (Kean) Dorr. She was a graduate of Deering High School in Portland, Class of 1942, and graduated with honors from the University of Maine at Farmington with her degree in early childhood education.

She played tenor saxophone in the New England Championship Band. She played in a combined band of Bowdoin, Bates and Colby colleges while in high school. She played in a dance band for several years in Florida, and 10 years in Farmington’s “Old Crow Band.”

Polly was a cashier and produce manager in Portland at the A&P supermarket. She also worked in the accounting department in the Oxford Paper Mill for more than five years. She taught kindergarten at Hope School in Mexico for 13 years. She was also a special ed teacher at Meroby and Mexico Middle school for three years before her retirement.

She was a member of the Rumford United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher, leader of the Vacation Bible School, secretary of the Administrative Board, financial secretary, active on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Outreach Community Nominating Committee., and sang in the choir and “Church Belles.” She was a past worthy matron of Mt. Zircon Chapter No. 143. O.E.S.; member of RAAPA, singing and acting in the plays and concerts for several years. She served on the Papillon board of directors for the HOPE Association for nine years.

She was married in Mexico, on Oct. 10, 1953, to Elbridge Lloyd “Archie” Farwell, who died in Rumford on May 21, 1997. They shared life raising two children, Elbridge and Kathleen. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and nana, who thought the world of her grandsons Tyson and Tyler.

She had a great love of music, ballroom dancing, traveling, time at Worthley Pond, her flower gardens, family gatherings, playing cards and animals. She loved her church, lunch at the Front Porch and River Valley Grill. She was a friend to everyone, with a special love for all babies. She was a strong, compassionate woman with endless optimism. She represented goodness in everything she did. She lived life well.

She had a special place in her heart for her good friends Harold and Ann MacDonnell. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include a daughter, Kathleen Jasud and special son-in-law, Michael, of Rumford Center; grandsons, Tyson and Tyler Jasud of Rumford Center; several nieces and nephews; a brother-in-law, Warren Farwell and his wife, Shirley, of Rumford; and her special extended family, Donald and Beverly Jasud of Mexico and their daughters, Rebecca and Nancy and their families.

She was predeceased by her husband; a son, Elbridge Leon Farwell; brothers, Leon Jr., Leslie and Richard; and sisters, Tina and Cleo.