SCARBOROUGH — Charlene Emma Carroll (a.k.a. Mom, Grammy, GiGi) passed away at the Malne Veterans Home in Scarborough the evening of Sunday, June 25.

Born on Nov. 15, 1922 in Anson, Charlene was one of 11 children born to Adelor and Jennie Bearor. She attended local schools and following graduation from Madison High School she enlisted in the U.S. Navy WAVES. Charlene served during WW II working in communications in Oklahoma and Philadelphia. She enlisted in June 1943 and received an honorable discharge with the rank of Y1C, in August 1946.

It was at Union Station in Portland where the young WAVE, awaiting the train to Waterville, first was introduced to the handsome Navy veteran Robert “Pat” Carroll Jr. One year later, Aug. 25, 1947, they married at St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church in Madison, which began a lifetime of memories, love, and dedication.

Charlene moved the family, one daughter and two sets of twin sons, to Gray in 1958. There she became an active member in the community and St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. Charlene was deeply committed to her children, their friends, and all the “kids” in the community, coaching youth softball, chaperoning street dances, monitoring the skating rink, and opening her door (and by default the kitchen) to everyone in the neighborhood.

When the children were older, Charlene worked nearly fulltime at the Gray A&P and Gray IGA as a cashier, assistant in the meat room and produce department.

In the mid-1980s, she became an active volunteer with the Gray Rescue Auxiliary; and served as a past commander of the American Legion Post #86 Auxiliary.

Charlene was an excellent cook, but her children enjoyed telling stories of the “mistakes” more than the thousands of successful meals, baked goods, and pies — did someone ask for lemon meringue “soup?”

She was predeceased by brothers, Roland, Reginald, Raymond, Edmond, Elwood; sisters, Regina, Nathalie; and husband, “Pat.”

She is survived by her daughter, Jeanna Burnell of Florida and Gray; twin sons, Donnell of Gray and Daniel of Murrell’s Inlet, S.C.; twin sons, Mathew of Gray and Michael of Windham; sisters, Melvina Beauford of Lyme, N.H., June Shusta of Madison, Shirley Reid of Gray; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and her extended, compassionate and caring “family” at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough (especially the A UNIT team).

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for “adopting” Charlene and treating her with such genuine love.

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