Obituary of Pauline Gray

->ORONO - Pauline "Polly" Christie Gray, 93, died Dec. 25, 2012, at a Bangor hospital. She was born Aug. 20, 1919, in Bangor, the daughter of Virgil Herbert and Carlotta (Flanders) Goodwin.Polly was a graduate of Bangor High School and attended Maine School of Commerce, now Husson University. Polly missed a college education but studied for enjoyment all her life. One of her subjects of interest was a correspondence course through the Chicago School of Design, which led her into her own business of Polly Christie Interiors, conducted in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Pauline "Polly" Adele Goodwin married Philip A. Christie, Oct. 12, 1940. They lived at 48 Sixth St., Bangor, while "Phil" served as Junior Counsel for Bangor Hydro Electric Co. until 1943, at which time he was called home due to his father's illness to take over W.R. Christie, Grower and Shipper of Seed Potatoes, located in Presque Isle. A son, Walter, was born in 1942; another son, Peter, died in infancy and Jane became a part of the family in 1948. Polly and Phil lived in Presque Isle for 34 years. During this time Polly was an active community worker, having pioneered the Presque Isle Antiques Show and served long and hard at Community Concerts. She was a charter member of Presque Isle Historical Society and served as secretary of the hospital board of directors. A separation took place which led to a later divorce and she, with Polly Christie Interiors, found work in Massachusetts, in West Concord and Andover. Circumstances led to Polly's moving to New Hampshire, where in 1980 a childhood sweetheart, Deane Gray, appeared. On Feb. 21, 1981, they were married and spent six months of each of 14 years in Tucson, Ariz. Summers were spent in Old Town at 164 Middle St. Intermingled with this life were trips to Great Britain, Europe, the Orient, the Caribbean and most of the United States. Soon, after Deane's death in 1993, Polly sold the lovely home they had built in the Tucson, Ariz., mountains. She settled in Bangor, at Franklin Place, before moving to Dirigo Pines, where she lived pleasantly for six years.Polly is survived by her son, Walter R. Christie, M.D., and his wife, Eleanor, of Portland; a daughter, Jane Duperry of Belfast; a grandson, Robert P. Christie and partner, Lee Sin Wah, of Hong Kong; a granddaughter, Margaret Keohan and her husband, Joseph; two great-grandsons, Charlie and Henry; a granddaughter, Patricia Duperry; grandson, Patrick Duperry; a great-granddaughter, Miralys; a sister-in-law, Ellen Goodwin; nephews, Carl, Mark and John Goodwin, with their children respectively, Ashley Shadrin, Adam Goodwin with great-great-nephews and niece, Adlai Cuero, Mae Shadrin and Jack Goodwin; many cousins; and will be sorely missed by William Bartlett. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Dirigo Pines, 9 Alumni Drive, Orono, with the Rev. Lorna Grenfell, minister of Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono, celebrant. Those who wish to honor Polly in a special way may make gifts in her memory to CancerCare of Maine, Lafayette Family Cancer Center, care of Healthcare Charities, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.