Arlene Barbara Paine
April 3, 1920 ~ March 10, 2016
South Portland-Arlene Barbara Paine, 95, passed on Thursday, March 10, 2016, surrounded by her loved ones. Always known as Barbara, she was born in Portland on April 3, 1920, to Leon Winfield Silver Margaret Malia Silver. She attended schools in South Portland, graduating from South Portland High School in 1937 and started her career at Union Mutual as an executive secretary. In 1954 she met the love of her life, Roy Paine, and they married soon after. They lived in Portland as Roy finished his Coast Guard career and then at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth before landing at 490 in South Portland as they raised three children, Peggy, Tom and Patty. Barbara returned to work at Shaws in Mill Creek for 24 years where she was to become well known at the customer service desk, where once, when confronted by a robber, she simply dismissed him by saying, Go away, Im too busy, looked to the next customer and asked, May I help you?. Following retirement she put in hundreds of hours volunteering at Maine Medical Center and more recently for Partners for World Health. She had been active in the Coast Guard Wives Club and hosted numerous students through the Mitchell Institute. Staying busy was never a problem for our mother, Barbara. Unfortunately, Roy had multiple heart attacks during their marriage and died suddenly in 1969 at age 56, leaving Barbara to raise three young children. The inner strength this required was a very strong trait of hers admired by all who knew her. Barbaras home was always open to her friends and relatives for wedding and baby showers, extended visits, or just a friendly cup of tea. Her children and grandchildren learned the powers of love and understanding by her many examples of caring and non-judgment. As she aged, serious medical issues were faced by an unbelievable Carry On attitude that never failed her. She lived her last few years at the Betsy Ross House in South Portland where she was always willing to drive a friend for shopping, doctors appointments or out for breakfast, hosting a weekly prayer group and communion service, and attending movie nights, book club and bingo. Barbaras greatest joy was getting her family together for any occasion like her famous chop suey and chocolate pudding dinners and the yearly April weekend when she reserved a North Conway hotel for her birthday weekend, a twenty year tradition. She was also predeceased by her younger sisters, Marie Silver Van Zelm and Virginia Silver Chase. She leaves behind many loving friends and her family; daughter, Peggy Paine and husband, Paul Donahue of Falmouth; granddaughter, Caitlin Donahue of Auburn; son, Tom Paine and wife Mary Ledue Paine of Limerick; granddaughter, Rose Paine of Limerick; grandson, Joe Paine of Farmington; daughter, Patty Paine MacDuff and husband Jim MacDuff of Portland; grandsons, John MacDuff, Tom MacDuff and granddaughter, Audrey MacDuff, all of Portland. Barbara is also survived by nieces and nephews throughout the country. Gramm lives on in all of us and we all have our stories. The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff of Maine Medical Center who displayed such care, respect and kindness. Visiting hours will be 10:00-noon, Thursday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A memorial service will be at noon at the chapel followed by burial at Forest City Cemetery, South Portland. To visit Barbaras memorial page or share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. Memorial donations may be made to The Barbara Bush Childrens Hospital, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My sincere condolences to all of Barbara’s family, I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Barbara the summer I roomed there, she was like part of our family for so many years, always there to put us up, our mom thought the world of Barbara and we will always be thankful for her opening her home to us when our dad was in the hospital in Portland. Barbara was truly a wonderful person.
– Nancy Theriault
Dearest Patty, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was such an important part of your family. I always enjoyed seeing her when I visited you. Please know I am thinking of you and Jim, John, Tom and Audrey. Love you all.
– Sue Ellen Monaghan
So sorry for you on the loss of your mother. She was such a wonderful lady. We were in Bible study together, knit together, and even exchanged foods! She was like a mother to me and I will surely miss her. I loved her dearly. Pat
– Betsy Ross House
Peggy and family,I am sorry for the loss of your loved one. I don’t know if you remember me but I worked with your mother for many years at Shaws Millcreek and was working at the desk with her the day the robber came in.I told that story at every Shaws I worked at after leaving Millcreek and at the Shaws Storytellers meetings. I loved going to “490” and sitting by the fireplace and enjoying a cup of tea with her.I have so much respect and admiration for her. She was the true. Meaning of the word “Lady”. Sorry I can’t make the service,my thoughts are with all of you.
– Bernie Cole
Dear Peggy, Tom and Patty, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a great lady. You were so lucky to have her until she was 95 yrs. old. Patty, I first met your father at the bus stop in So. Portland as we were both going to work in Portland at a department store. We became acquainted as we traveled to and from work. He told me his wife was expecting a baby and they did not know who was going to take care of the baby when your mother went back to work. I told him I could do that as I had a day care just down the street from their house. I truly enjoyed taking care of you and visiting with your mother. The day I had to tell your mother that I was giving up the day care to go back to school, she cried. I went to school and after graduation I went to work at MMC for 43 yrs. and I would see your mother in the playroom on Pedi playing with the children. Later years I saw her at a funeral. She told me that she was fine and enjoying life. She was a special lady and certainly loved her family and friends. She will be missed. Fondly, Carole
– Carole Tubbs
While I only knew Barbara since my mother in law Fran moved to Betsy Ross a few years ago, my husband Alan goes way back to her Shaw’s days. Barbara was the first, as floor welcoming appointee, to visit Fran and help ease her anxiety over the move. Her bright personality helped Fran adapt to her new home. Barbara made sure Fran was included in all activities and really encouraged her to get involved. She looked in on her when not feeling well, and stayed in contact with her during the last two years as Fran’s health caused her to move from independent living to assisted care. We invited Barbara to dinner last fall at Village Crossing, where we had a wonderful time, Barbara ever the optimist, told Fran how lucky she was to live in such a beautiful place, with wonderful prepared meals and was so appreciative to have been invited for dinner. It was Fran and I who were so grateful to have Barbara’s love and caring friendship. I was just thinking of her the other day and was going to call to let her know that Fran isn’t doing so well at Horizon’s, a nursing home in Brunswick, and was going to ask if she would call to lift her spirits as only Barbara could do. Both Alan and I are so sorry for your loss, but we also feel blessed to have known such a wonderful woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. I’m sure Barbara will smile down on you all when you have American Chop Suey and pudding in her memory!Our deepest condolences,Alan and Doreen Gay
– Alan and Doreen Gay