Pauline (Caron) Douglas
LEWISTON – Pauline (Caron) Douglas, 80, passed away Sept. 1, 2021 at St. Mary’s. She was born in Lewiston on July 23, 1941, the daughter of the late Arthur and Emilienne (Busque) Caron and was married to Charles Douglas for 52 years. She lived most of her life in Lewiston and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1959.
Pauline’s first job was as a lifeguard at Kennedy Park pool. She began a lifelong newspaper career at the Lewiston Sun Journal. She interrupted that to work briefly for the Manchester Union Leader and the Maine Sunday Telegram. She then returned to the Lewiston Sun Journal to complete 44 years there as a copy editor, community news editor, and started “Ask the Journal,” which later became Sun Spots. If you ever submitted a question, she was the one behind the curtain providing you with answers.
Pauline was not to be interrupted during a Patriots football game unless it was a conversation about the game. She was generous with her time and a subtle adventurer. Her worldly travels brought her to Hawaii, Quebec and throughout Scandinavia with many stops in between including an eventful hot air balloon ride. Summers were spent with family and friends at the beach and pools. Every five years she spent part of her summer leading planning efforts for her high school reunions. The family often hosted Up With People! students from around the world, which resulted in a love for Scandinavia that began with an ‘adopted’ daughter from Norway.
Pauline was a creature of habit and always had her microwave popcorn prepared in time for the Golden Girls, enjoyed water aerobics several days each week with friends, playing cards and board games with family and friends, and indulged in fried clams whenever she could. Pauline enjoyed her Kit Kats and was especially fond of peach blossoms and her homemade needhams at Christmas.
Pauline valued her family of origin and family of choice. Countless hours were spent gathered around the kitchen table, the Christmas tree, and holiday dinner tables. Lots of stories were told, many by her, and there was lots of laughter. Her family loves to laugh together and that made her happy. She always looked forward to time together, was sad when it ended, and treasured the memories. She especially treasured time spent with her grandson, the apple of her eye, and was thrilled to be able to travel to Sudbury, Mass. to, for the first time, watch him play soccer, cheering him on from the sidelines .
She is survived by husband, Charlie Douglas of Lewiston; sons Eric of New York City, Jeff and wife Julia of Sudbury, Mass., and Sean of Turner; beloved grandson, Carter; sister, Doris Vachon and her husband Don of Lewiston and brother, Roger Caron of Hartford; brother-in-law, Richard Laplante of N.H.; and many other loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Arline; granddaughter, Chloe; sister-in-law, Jackie Caron; and adopted son-in-law, Paul Maheux.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center for the care and comfort they provided for Pauline and the entire family.
A service will take place at the Albert and Burpee Funeral Home on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m., visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Unvaccinated guests are asked to please wear a mask. Memories and messages of condolences may be shared online at http://www.albert-burpee.com.
For those who desire, donations in her memory may be sent to Androscoggin Home Healthcare, a service she had the opportunity to use more than once.