WEST PARIS — Claribel Poland went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 22.

She was born in South Paris, Aug. 24, 1912, to Harrison and Lillian Swift. She attended the Union School in Woodstock, often walking to school each day.

On June 3, 1938, she married Leon Poland, fondly known as Buster. She and Buster started their food service career with a small hamburger restaurant on Route 26 called “Buster’s Lunch.” Together they ran the kitchen for The Victorian Villa in Canton and Ledgeview Nursing Home in West Paris. Claribel also spent many years supporting and working with the Willing Workers.

Claribel, known as mother, grandmother and nana devoted 100 percent of her life to her family. She was the center of the Poland family unit and always knew what was happening within her family and her community. If you needed to know something….you just asked gram. Claribel read three newspapers and maintained a keen and active mind right up until the day before she passed.

She loved to cook and took great pride in creating special family meals. From her home made pies at the holidays to molasses doughnuts made from scratch to creme puffs with handmade filling — she knew her way around the kitchen.

Claribel was also someone who listened to the needs of others always offering comfort and support. She had a gift for bring out the best in others even when they couldn’t see it in themselves. She could always find the “silver lining” in difficult situations and knew exactly how to provide the encouragement you needed at the right moment. Claribel was named the oldest citizen in Woodstock in 2009, and was presented a gold cane.

She is survived by four children, Leon Poland Jr., wife, Rosalie, Beverly Dayton, husband, Howard, Kenneth Poland, wife, Sandra, Donna Kusheba, husband, Richard; nine grandchildren, Lloyd Poland, and wife, Gina, Leilani Poland and husband, Dr. Burt Bertram, Larry Poland, Matthew Dayton and wife, Michelle, Danielle Hasbrouck and husband, Kyle, Kimberly Poland, Shane Poland and wife, Veronica, Ricki Mack and wife, Lisa and Vicki Hill; 18 great-grandchildren, Natasha Hodson, Alex Poland, Megan Mack, Randi Mack, Jaymi Mack, Sully Poland, Molly Poland, Sawyer Poland, Kendall Hill, Dallas Cole, Camrin Poland, Derick Poland, Dylan Poland, Taliyah Dayton, Ugena Maguire, Shenley Smith, Mackenzie Bertram and Britton Bertram; six great-great-grandchildren, Thad and Ethan Hodson, Lexie Mack and Aleah Davis, Gracie and Abner Poland; her sister, Barbara Cash; loved ones, Pamela Poland and Sierra Nadeau; and dear friend, Gloria Krus.

Claribel Poland used her iron will and compassion, her sense of humor and wise council along with her positive outlook on life to create and sustain our family for the past seven decades. From the youngest member of our family to the oldest, from neighbors and friends…she was truly loved by all.

We have lost our “true north” and must now carry on with the inheritance of love she instilled in us all.

The Poland Family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ledgeview Living Center and Beacon Hospice for all the daily care and support provided to Claribel.