ADDISON – Pauline E. Van Dam, 81, wife of the late Mathys Jan Van Dam, died June 16, 2011, at Sunrise Care Facility, Jonesport. Pauline was born May 6 1930, at home in Woonsocket, R.I., the daughter of Edgar and Eva (Campbell) Dextraze.
Pauline was always interested in helping others and was a longstanding member of the
Former Fogarty Memorial Hospital Guild, Woonsocket, R.I., where she volunteered her time to coordinate charity events to benefit the hospital. For many years, friends, neighbors and family gathered at her home for holidays and special events. She was an excellent cook and a formidable cribbage and Scrabble player. The early days of her marriage were spent dancing with her new husband at Mosley’s on the Charles, Boston. The celebration of their 50th anniversary was spent touring Europe, including Switzerland, which had been a lifelong dream of hers.
She is survived by three children, Paula Jane Chartrand and her husband, Paul, of Addison, Edgar Peter Van Dam and his wife, Constance, of Columbia Falls and Brian Mathys Van Dam Sr. and his wife, Jane, of Scarborough; seven grandchildren, Christopher Chartrand and his wife, Ruth, of Addison, Andrew Chartrand and his wife, Tina, of Benton, Heather Van Dam and her husband, Seth, of Portland, Emily Esche and her husband, Michael, currently deployed by the U.S. Navy, of Long Beach, Miss., Anna Pauline Van Dam of Columbia Falls, Brian Mathys Van Dam Jr. of Scarborough and Jenna Van Dam of Scarborough; and five great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, twins Kaitlyn and Nicole, Abigail and Cassidy Pauline Chartrand. She is also survived by two sisters, Irene Heroux and her husband, Richard, of Stetson and Lea Belhumeur of Terryville, Conn.; many nieces, nephews, cousins, former neighbors and cherished friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her first born great-grandson, Zachary Chartrand. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the administration and staff of the Woodlands of Brewer Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Unit, and Sunrise Care Facility, Jonesport, for their care, compassion and tireless efforts in making Pauline’s journey with Alzheimer’s as normal, dignified and comfortable as possible.
A private graveside service will be held at Jacksonville Cemetery, East Machias. Pauline will be buried with her husband and close to her great-grandson. Ashes will be scattered near her husband’s on the Chartrand family’s private beach on White Head Island, New Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 383 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. A service of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Milbridge.