Carol L Curran

Portland - Carol Lorain (Gerstenecker) Curran, 90, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Carol was born on December 25, 1927 in Collinsville, IL, the daughter of the late Charles and Freida Gerstenecker, one of seven children. She graduated high school in 1945 and began working in secretarial and administrative positions in the War Department in Washington D.C., Scott Air Force Base, IL, and the Pentagon, until 1951. She then worked in Germany for the United States Air Forces in Europe and in Paris with the Military Facilities Negotiating Group until December of 1952. After returning to the US, she worked for the Air Force in the Pentagon, and for the National Science Foundation and Peace Corps in D.C. Carol married Portland, Maine native Philip J. Curran in 1961 and together they lived in Washington D.C. until 1971 when Philip retired. They then moved north and made their home in North Waterford, Maine where they enjoyed their retirement years together until he passed away in 1995. Carol enjoyed playing scrabble, bridge and golf, painting watercolors, gardening, classical music, and feeding the wild birds. She was known as an excellent cook and consummate hostess. Carol had a big heart - she especially loved cats and over the years she and Philip welcomed 26 rescued cats into their home. Carol spent her final years in Portland at Birchwoods at Canco Assisted Living where she received loving and supportive care, for which she and her family were truly grateful. Carol is survived by a sister, Joan Clark of MO; a granddaughter, Nadya Mullen and her husband Vincent of Portland; and many beloved nieces and nephews in Maine and across the country. Visiting hours will be held from 10-11am on Thursday, November 15, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A Funeral service will immediately follow at 11am in the Funeral Home. Burial be in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland following the service. To view Carol's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit https://www.conroytullywalker.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carol's memory to Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills, P.O. Box 82, Norway, ME 04268.