ISLAND FALLS and PATTEN – Patricia Ann Cunningham Coolong, 85, passed away into the arms of her Savior Nov. 8, 2010. She has now been reunited with beloved family members, especially her husband, Hadley. Pat was born Aug. 9, 1925, in Patten, daughter of Clara (Silva) and Wesley Cunningham. She was raised in Patten and graduated from Patten Academy. After her marriage to Hadley Coolong in 1945, their homes in Patten and Mount Chase became home for many various family members. They both worked for many years at Point of Pines camps on Upper Shin Pond, where Pat cooked many delicious meals. Pat and Hadley also worked for Baxter State Park and enjoyed camping each summer at Matagamon Campgrounds. She and Hadley enjoyed hunting and fishing together, and they raised their children to respect and enjoy the outdoor life. In later years, Pat moved to Meadowbrook Manor, Patten. For the past two years, she lived with her daughter, Susan, in Island Falls. Pat was a member of Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten. She was a member of United Methodist Women, Merry Widows club, Shin Pond Coffee Babes, and Katahdin Ladies Club, Island Falls. She was a past member of Eastern Star and Rebekahs. Pat was a shining example of the Christian life and attitude. She loved to be around people, and she was warmly loved by everyone she came in contact with. She spent her final days renewing those contacts, reaching out to friends and family to say her goodbyes. Pat was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Glenda and Raymond Sommers of Patten, Kempton and Debbie Coolong of Mount Chase, Susan York of Island Falls, Daniel and Nancy Coolong of Greenville, R.I., and Marie and Thomas Chase of Patten; her grandchildren, Lisa and Bobby Fogg of Winn, David Sommers of Dyer Brook, Carroll and Nicole Bates of Glenburn, Ryan Bates and Kayla Jenkins of Stetson, Tellis Coolong of Milford, Melissa and Adam Probert of the Bahamas, and Joshua Smith and Kasi Rush of Bangor; and her great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Garrett Sommers, Ora and Carroll Bates III, and Bryce and Hayson Bates. She is also survived by her brother, Wayne Cunningham of Florida; her sister, Anita Martin of Caribou; a very special loving niece, Sandra Kidder Clavette; many other nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by special friends, Annie Somers, Sheila More, Lou and Eileen Fisher, Richard and Noralene Porter, and Bernie and Leigh Leighton. In addition to her parents and husband, Pat was predeceased by her brother, Wesley “Jim” Cunningham; and sisters, Marie York, Laverne Fitzgerald, Marian Higgins and Rebecca Phillips. Visiting hours will be 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, where a celebration of Pat’s life will be held 3 p.m. with Pastor David Dyrenforth, Pastor Reginald Adams and Steve Richardson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church.
PATRICIA A. COOLONG
