CASCO — Avis Coolidge, 86, of Oxford, died early Thursday morning, Feb. 1, at Country Village Assisted Living in Casco.

She was born July 23, 1931, on the family farm on Cushman Hill, Bryant Pond, to George and Lena Cushman. Avis was the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Woodstock High School.

Avis met Stan Coolidge, of Bethel, and they were married June 7, 1952, in the Grove at Green Pond in Oxford. They moved their family to Perkins Ridge, Auburn, in 1958 and happily lived there for 29 years.

Avis enjoyed the shores of Ole’ Green Pond for 84 years. First, as a toddler of 3, and then throughout her entire life. In 1987, she and her beloved husband built a log cabin and became year-round residents. The beach has been a gathering point for family and friends and Avis happily presided over all of the Green Pond fun, reminding generations of badminton rules and swimming safety, to name a few.

Avis loved all sports and was a high school basketball star. Avis played basketball with her friend, June, who later married her brother, Irving. In the early 1960s, Avis was a groundbreaking horseshoe pitcher and was denied entry to numerous horseshoe tournaments because the men knew they were going to get beat. She threw shoes across the state and wowed all she played against. She enjoyed cards and was an avid cribbage player. She taught cribbage to many people, most recently to friends at Country Village Assisted Living. She and Stan enjoyed concerts, dancing, including the waltz, polka and jitterbug, and traveling cross-country on their Gold Wing Motorcycle. They spent many winters in Florida and Maui.

She worked as a crew boss at Wallingford’s Orchards and as a cashier at Woolworth’s, Lost Valley Ski Area and Shop ‘n’ Save.

Avis happily attended her grandchildren’s activities and was proud of their accomplishments. She was loved by her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by her extended family of loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her family would like to thank the Country Village Assisted Living Home for their exceptional, loving care. Avis quickly became a grandmother figure to staff and she made many friends during her time there. We would also like to thank all of the friends and family for their visits; most importantly, her favorite nephew, Lindy Felt, and neighbor, Rachel Hamilton.

She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Stanley Coolidge; her loving parents; and seven brothers and sisters.

Avis is survived by her daughters, Carol Perkins and husband, Daniel, of Rangeley, Terri Coolidge of Oxford, Buster Marin of Auburn, Tammy Levasseur of Jupiter, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Vanessa Perkins Freeman, Erin Perkins Smith, Kelsi Inman and her husband, Luke, Joelle Schutt, Kyle, Abbie and Emily Levasseur; and great-grandchildren, Evan and Parker Smith, Kailey and Jakob Freeman.

Online condolences and tributes may be shared at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Avis Coolidge

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