JULIA MAINES

HOLDEN – Julia “Pat” (Holmes) Maines died peacefully at her home on Copeland Hill, May 14, 2008. Pat was born July 31, 1923, in Bar Harbor, daughter of Louis Lawrie and Mary Gilpatrick Holmes. She grew up in Northeast Harbor, attended schools there and was a member of the University of Maine, Class of 1945. Her marriage to John T. Maines in November 1942, was the beginning of an amazing partnership. She and her family moved to Holden in 1954, having found the place in the country they had been searching for. She was registrar of voters and engaged in town affairs, including PTA and Holden Congregational Church. She served on the Good Samaritan Agency Board and was a devoted member of the Shakespeare Club. With her husband, John, she helped create and nurture the Maine Forest and Logging Museum. Through the years, she served on many committees at the Phillips-Strickland House and was a board member there, helping to design and develop Boyd Place. Pat’s ability to draw people together was life long, and everyone she met was her friend. Her kindness and optimism were contagious; her graciousness and humor are legendary. She loved to hear people laugh and created a sense of belonging with everyone she met. She and John shared gardening, cooking, canoeing, and creating life long traditions while raising their family. As a home designer, cookbook author, storyteller, matriarch and friend, she was unsurpassed. No one who ever tasted one will ever forget her homemade donuts. Pat is survived by her children, Steve and his wife, Martha (Foss) Maines, of Abbot, Linda and her husband, Doug Rollins, of Bowdoin, Douglas and his wife, Deborah (MacGregor) Maines, of Falmouth and Martha Maines of Pownal; son-in-law, James Good and his wife, Jerry Yoder, of Yarmouth. Also 14 beloved grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a myriad of dear friends. Pat was predeceased by her husband, John; her cherished daughter, Susan; her sister, Mary Whiting of Newburyport, Mass.; her brother, Richard Holmes of Presque Isle; and sisters, Jane Burr of Northeast Harbor and Louise Smith of Auburn, N.Y. A memorial service to honor Pat will be held 2 p.m. June 7 at Holden Congregational Church, with an open house at her home on Copeland Hill afterward. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Phillips-Strickland House, 21 Boyd Place, Bangor, ME 04401 or Maine Forest and Logging Museum, P.O. Box 456, Orono, ME 04473.