1918 – 2015

SCARBOROUGH— Veatrice E. “Mollie” Fehlau of Scarborough, formerly of Livermore Falls and Portland, died peacefully on Sunday, May 10, with her daughter by her side.

She was born on March 29, 1918, in Roxbury (Frye), to Arthur Russell Grant and Ava Estelle Philbrick Grant. Her father was the station master for Maine Central Railroad at Frye. Her mother was a Latin scholar. She often mentioned that as a child, she felt so full of life that she just “tingled.” In the 1920s, the family moved to New Brunswick, Canada, where her grandfather and father owned and operated a sawmill. Later, the family moved back to central Maine where Mollie attended Lawrence High School, was a member of the National Honor Society, and at age 16, graduated as valedictorian in 1934. Mollie then attended the former Bliss Business College in Lewiston. This led to her employment in the newspaper and banking industries, and culminated in a 29-year career at Maine Central Railroad, where she served as the executive secretary to the vice president. She retired from the railroad in 1983.

In 1961, she married Martin W. Fehlau. They resided in Portland for 38 years. The couple traveled the world after their respective retirements, touring Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia and South America. They maintained a winter residence in Ellenton, Fla., and enjoyed jitterbugging to big band music at the pavilion. Mollie was a member of the Junior Burns Club, sang in the choir and played the pipe organ professionally in several churches, including North Livermore Baptist Church and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cape Elizabeth, where she was a member for many years. She was also a member of the Rotary Women’s Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Mollie was faithful, persistent and spirited. She read her Bible every morning, had many lifelong friendships that she cherished, enjoyed early-morning swims, shopping and baking. She loved to garden but hated woodchucks. In 2000, Mollie suffered a stroke, preventing her from returning to her home. She was a resident of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough for over 14 years, where she enjoyed joking with the staff and participating in activities, especially bingo. Mollie loved the staff, many of whom were with her throughout her stay.

She is survived by her brother, Bertram Grant and his wife, Deane, of West Virginia; daughter, Judy Therriault Berthiaume and her husband, Raymond, of Biddeford; sons, Jonathan Savage of Madison, Wis., and Richard Fehlau and his wife, Gretchen, of Augusta; grandchildren, Lance Berthiaume and his wife, Patti Sullivan, Lorrie Berthiaume, Christopher Black and his wife, Pat Burton, Jennifer Black Tardif and her husband, Jeff, Gretchen Black DiStefano and her husband, Neil, Mark Dumont, Amanda Dumont, Whitney Savage, Leslie Savage, Joshua Fehlau and his wife, Adriana, Jordan Savage and Zachary Fehlau; great-grandchildren, Emili, Reese, Rebecca, Liam, Cooper and Bailey; and several nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband, Martin; her sisters, Ruth Hinkley and Dorothy Powers; and her brothers, Albert and Stanley.

Mollie’s family wishes to thank the staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough for their excellent care and attention to her.

Online condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.