1926 – 2016

AUBURN — Arlene F. Poland, 89, a resident of Schooner Estates in Auburn and a former resident of Turner, died Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin following a brief illness and was surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Lewiston on Oct. 6, 1926, the daughter of Charles L. and Persis (Keene) French. She graduated from Leavitt Institute in Turner in 1942. On March 8, 1947, in East Wilton, she married Henry Poland. They spent their lives together raising their family in Turner. He passed away April 6, 2003.

Arlene was a homemaker and for many years helped her husband run their business, Centerville Garage, in Turner Center. She also packed apples at Northland Apples in Turner, drove a school bus for SAD 52 for 13 years and worked for Longley Associates in Lewiston. She enjoyed spending time with her family as well as crafts and knitting. The past five years she enjoyed spending time with her friends and family at Gray Birch in Augusta.

She is survived by six daughters, Ellen Shaw of New Hampshire, Lucy Dawes of Auburn and her former husband, Robert, of Bangor, Eloise Poland of Lewiston, Muriel Chapman and her fiancé, Norris Morrison, of Sabattus, Anna Bragdon and her partner, Mike Caron, of South Portland, and Heidi Daigle of Farmingdale; four sons, Daniel Poland and his wife, Linda, of Turner, Charles Poland and his wife, Brenda, of Turner, Wesley Poland and his wife, Belinda, of Turner, and Douglas Poland of Livermore Falls; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Cynthia French and Nancy Huntington and her husband, Robert, all of Turner.

She is predeceased by her husband; an infant son; a grandson, Eric Dawes; and a great-grandson, Dakotah Poland.

Messages of condolence may be made to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.