OLD TOWN – Florence Lorraine (Martin) Wheeler, died Oct. 15, 2003, at a Bangor healthcare facility. She was born July 16, 1928, in Old Town, the daughter of George H. and Marie Emma (Bosse) Martin, who both predeceased her in 1989. She attended Old Town schools and graduated from John Bapst High School in 1946. She was employed in her mother’s store, The Chez Marie Emma Shoppe, until 1951, when she moved to Miami, Fla. There she met and married Newton “Bud” Wheeler, who predeceased her in 1960. She will be remembered as a ceramics teacher for 25 years and gave guest lessons at several Old Town schools on the proper use of a potter’s wheel. She taught an Alton school class how to dig and process their native clay and bring their product to fruition. She was known for her porcelain figurines, dishes, but especially her dolls. She made porcelain ornaments, which hang on the State Capitol Christmas tree. Florence was the artist who restored the 14 stations of the Cross and the statue of the Sacred Heart at the Holy Family Church. She also had restored many statues for private citizens. She created a commemorative tile wall for the Elks Club. At the closing of St. Mary’s Church, Florence painted a portrait of the church in honor of St. Mary’s parishioners, and it hangs in the Holy Family Parish Hall. She painted in oils, watercolors and acrylics. Her works hang in the United States, Canada and Germany. She was co-founder of the Old Town Art Society, serving as president for eight terms. She was an active member of the Old Town Museum serving in many capacities and the art coordinator for the Old Town Public Library and YMCA. She was an active volunteer for fairs and Super Day Shows sponsored by the City of Old Town. She holds many certificates and letters of appreciation. She was a Brownie and Scout Leader for many years, and was a plane spotter during World War II. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle and her husband, Scott Caron; and her loving grandchildren, Benjamin and his wife, Nichole, and Jennifer Caron, Memere’s kids, all of Milford; her brother and his wife, Dr. G. Uriel Martin and Frankie of Trenton and his children, Suzanne of Florida and Ann of Virginia; her sister, Anna-Mae Brangwynne of Dorchester, Mass.; their children, Muriel, Martin, John, Carol, Pamela, William and James of Massachusetts and Florida; also a very special family, Wayne and Bernadette Violette, their sons, Nicholas and Marc, of Connecticut; several cousins; and many dear friends, especially Bob and Vi Jones of Milo. Friends may call 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at Brookings-Smith, Old Town Chapel, 205 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, at the Holy Family Parish, 429 Main St., Old Town, with the Rev. Normand Richard, pastor, and the Rev. Rudolph Leveille, con-celebrant. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the parish hall following the service Saturday. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Old Town. Gifts in her memory may be sent to Holy Family Parish Building Fund, 429 Main St., Old Town 04468; the Old Town Museum, care of William Osborne, Middle Street, Old Town 04498; or Old Town Public Library, care of Valerie Osborne, Middle Street, Old Town 04468.
FLORENCE LORRAINE (MARTIN) WHEELER
