1928 – 2016

AUBURN — Carolyn Lisewski passed peacefully from this life Sunday, July 24.

Born Carolyn Louise Pulsifer on June 15, 1928, to Hattie (Spaulding) Pulsifer and Henry W. Pulsifer, Carolyn grew up on the family farm in Mechanic Falls with her brother, Richard, along with her cousin and best friend, Frances (Frannie) Caragliano Fifield.

Known to many as Kay, Carolyn attended schools in Poland and Mechanic Falls, graduating as class valedictorian in 1946. Following high school, she went on to do a year of substitute teaching and married Shirley Erland Keene of Poland. Together they had a daughter, Patricia, in 1948; and son, Richard, followed in 1954. When the children were both in school, Carolyn went to work at WMTW FM in Poland Spring before leaving the station to pursue a career in nursing, graduating from Central Maine Vocational-Technical Institute (now CMCC) in 1969.

Throughout her years as a nurse, she cared for patients in hospital, nursing home and home health settings; however, her favorite role was nurse educator at Marcal Paper Mills in Mechanic Falls.

In 1971, Carolyn married Harry P. Lisewski, with whom she shared a passion for the outdoors and animals. Together they raised Brittany spaniels for many years and were founding members of the Maine Brittany Club. They went on to own and operate Kaylish Kennels in Mechanic Falls for many years, before retirement.

In addition to her beloved dogs, field trials and all things in nature, Carolyn was an avid gardener and had a passion for writing, authoring many beautiful stories, prayers and poetry throughout her life.

Upon retirement, Carolyn and Harry traveled around the United States, exploring and fly-fishing along the way. They settled in Mountain Home, Ark., in 2007 where they would remain until Harry’s passing in 2013. Carolyn then returned home to Maine and resided with her son before settling at the Bucknam Oaks complex in Mechanic Falls.

Always a very spiritual woman, Carolyn was a member of the First Congregational Church of Mechanic Falls, Unity Church in Mountain Home, and finally, Poland Community Church. No matter where she lived, Carolyn was a dedicated mother and grandmother and delighted in spending time with her cherished family. She will be remembered by her family for her generous nature and unending love, her sense of humor and her infectious smile.

Surviving Carolyn are her children, daughter, Patricia Keene and son, Richard Keene and his significant other, Karen Hill, all of Auburn; brother, Richard Pulsifer and his wife, Jean, and their family of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; granddaughters, Rebecca Anderson of Westbrook, Catherine Ouellette and her fiancé, Darryl Coombs, of Turner, Allyson Hershelman and her husband, Ben, of Westminster, Colo.; great-granddaughters, Katelynn, Taylor and Brielle Ouellette and Hazel Hershelman.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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