Carolyn Garland DiMatteo

Carolyn “Mimi” DiMatteo, 93, of South Portland, Maine, died peacefully at her home on December 18, 2025, surrounded by family. Carolyn was born in Portland, Maine on September 30, 1932 to Celena (Muzzraul) Garland of New Brunswick, Canada and Roland Lewis Garland of Milan, NH. She was the youngest of three children with sister Beverly “Buffy”, and brother Wallace. Carolyn was lovingly known as “Cal” and “Calzy” by many childhood friends and became known as “Mimi” with the birth of her grandchildren.

Carolyn lived in several towns in Maine and New Hampshire during her childhood, much due to her father’s love for restoring and selling old homes. She attended Falmouth High School and transferred her senior year to Pennell Institute in Gray, Maine where she graduated in 1951. She was affectionately known as “Sport” by her classmates. Her activities included Glee Club, Cheerleading, Student Council Member, and Drama Club. She played the part of Kat the elevator operator in the Pennell Senior class play “Are You Mr. Butterworth?”.

Carolyn’s life’s “work” was as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and homemaker. She was also a loyal supporter of her deceased husband George’s career, owning a commercial construction business for many years.

Carolyn was full of life and loved many things. She was modest about her many talents and is perhaps most remembered as a gifted artist, pianist, amazing cook and host of many gatherings, love for photography, dancing and oldies music. She was well known for her hand drawn note cards.

Carolyn was easy-going and always up for a new adventure. She took up tennis later in life in her 40’s and was featured in a Sunday Telegram article as one of the new members of the Tennis Racket Club. She will always be remembered for her beautiful spirit, grace, kindness, fun loving way, and dressing to the nines.

She and her belated husband George enjoyed their Florida condo and hosting family gatherings at their summer home on Old Orchard Beach. She loved to travel, with her favorite destinations being Ste-Adele, Canada and the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, George DiMatto, and is survived by her daughter Andrea DiMatteo of Naples, Maine; son Michael DiMatteo and life partner Diane Lewis of Epping, NH; grandson Nicholas, his wife Christine and three beautiful sons Leo, Levi and Luca; and granddaughter Dominique DiMatteo of New Gloucester, Maine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 9 at 10:00AM at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital – Donate Now

Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland.