Pauline (Pearl) A. Melanson

NORTH YARMOUTH - Pauline (Pearl) A. Melanson, 90, of North Yarmouth, died peacefully early Saturday morning on October 20, 2012. One of nine children, she was born on June 1, 1922 in Norway, Maine, daughter of Alphonse and Exerlia (LaChance) Corbin. When she was young her family moved to Portland where she attended local schools. Pauline was married to Raymond J. Melanson for 48 years until his death in 1995. Together they raised seven children in their home in Deering Center where they were active members of St. Joseph's Parish. As a homemaker Pauline was very involved with her children's school and extracurricular activities, never missing any of their events. When her children were older she worked at the Osteopathic Hospital until her retirement. For thirty-two years she and her husband wintered in Ruskin, FL where they were active communicants of St. Anne's Church. During this time they were very involved with their retirement community, making many friends from all over the country whom became their extended family. Once widowed, Pauline continued to winter in Florida until her health made it difficult for her to travel. She then moved to North Yarmouth with one of her daughters. This past June her children and their families, along with her siblings and several nieces and nephews, happily surprised Pauline for the very first time on her 90th birthday. She is predeceased by her husband, Raymond J. Melanson, a son, Raymond S. Melanson, and a granddaughter, Rachael (Towle) Smith. She is survived by her sisters, Lorraine Ruminski of Westbrook, Elna Metcalf of Portland, a brother Ernest Corbin of Massachusetts, her children Carol and Lawrence Tedford of Westbrook, Gloria and Louis Brown of N. Yarmouth, Peter and Jane Melanson of Yarmouth, Philip and Patricia Melanson of Portland, Rosemary and Ronald Patterson of Winslow, Donna Melanson of Portland, daughter in law, Carol Melanson of Bryant Pond; as well as 13 grandchildren. She was Grammy-Great to 21 great grandchildren and Aunt Pearl to several nieces and nephews. She will be missed dearly. Prayers will be recited at 10:15 on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME. Burial will be private at Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. Those who wish may make contributions in Pauline's memory to: Bruce Roberts Fund, PO Box 7310, Portland, ME 04112.Online condolences may be expressed below.