BUCKSPORT – Pauline Eldridge Bayer-Lally, 97, of Bucksport, passed peacefully from the loving arms of her family into the open arms of God on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. The daughter of Millard A. Eldridge and Hazel (Saunders) Eldridge was born on Aug. 3, 1926, in Bangor. She attended Bucksport schools from kindergarten through her high school graduation in 1944. She graduated from Westbrook Junior College in Westbrook, Maine in 1946. She became the secretary to the Personnel Manager at the St. Regis paper mill in Bucksport. It was there that Polly met her future husband, Herman Bayer, also known as Tuck. They were married in February 1950. They welcomed their two sons, Mark, and Jeff, while residing in Bucksport. Tuck’s career in the paper industry then led to moves to Wisconsin, New York State, and then back and forth moves to and from New York and Maine. While in Wisconsin, Polly took up the sport of ice curling. Starting as a novice, her quick learning took her to the position of skip (team captain) in only three years, while taking the team to the state finals for the first time. While living in New York and Maine she retained her love of downhill skiing and golf. Her zeal for both, on occasion led the family to having tv dinners for supper. She never missed a sporting event or school activity for her sons, often serving up her chocolate brownies. No matter where she lived, Polly always returned to her beloved family camp on Toddy Pond every summer; even when it meant her driving 1500 miles in three days with the two boys and a collie. She was truly the best boat driver for water skiing. Then in 1977, Tuck and Polly moved back to Bucksport, with Tuck becoming Mill Manger at the mill he started at, and Polly’s hometown. Tuck tragically passed away in 1981 at the age of 57. At this point, Polly became fully devoted to her hometown, serving on the town council, and as trustee positions at her beloved Elm Street Congregational church, and the Riverview cemetery. While on the town council, she became one of the driving forces for the development of the now acclaimed Bucksport Waterfront Walkway. Her participation on the project even included many hours of manual labor with many of her friends and town crews. It was during this time that she reacquainted with an old friend, Gene Lally, eventually they married. Again, tragically Gene died in 1990 after just a few years of marriage. In 1993, Max Goode moved to Bucksport to work at the Bucksport Health Center. Max wanted to rent a room in the area, and Polly welcomed the security of having him in the house. That move of mutual need/help led to a loving relationship of 30 years. During their time together, they made several road trips to Florida and Myrtle Beach, and one very long six-week cross country road trip to California along the southern route and the return along the northern route. Polly absolutely loved being a grandmother to Jason and Rebecca, and great grandmother to Summer and Violet. She would travel to see their sporting events and dance recitals, whether in Jay Maine or Vermont. Her love of family knew no bounds. She was the recipient of the prestigious Hans Honders award for community service in 2014. She lived by the motto of love, peace, and happiness. She loved her God, and He loved her.
Polly was predeceased by her parents, Millard and Hazel Eldridge, her husband Herman J Bayer, her husband Gene Lally, and her daughter in law Jaqueline Bayer.
She is survived by her partner Russell Max Goode, sons Mark and his wife Mary Beth, Jeffrey and his wife Rita, grandson Jason Bayer and his wife Dr. Tamara Sewell, granddaughter Rebecca Clough and her husband Tobin, and great granddaughters Summer and Violet Clough.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Elm Street Congregational Church in Bucksport. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. A luncheon will take place back at Brown Hall following services. Arrangements are under the care of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services Bucksport. (www.mitchelltweedie-young.com)
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to; The March of Dimes or Bucksport Community Concerns Food Pantry P.O. Box 603
Bucksport, ME 04416.
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