ORRINGTON – Pauline E. Jude, 89, our family matriarch, completed her journey on this earth, Nov. 22, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Sept. 6, 1922, in Madison, to Louis E. and Mabel H. (Webber) Bird.
Polly, the seventh of eight children, was educated in Corinna schools and graduated from Corinna Union Academy. She married Judson A. Jude from Ellsworth in 1940, and together they raised a family of four highly talented and exceptionally stunning daughters, of whom they both were very proud. During World War II Juddie was serving in the Army Air Corps and Polly remained home with their youngest child, the bella Linda, where she became an active volunteer for Red Cross and Civil Air Patrol. She later followed her husband to military stations in Maryland, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. Upon returning to Maine the family initially moved to Corinna, where they welcomed their second daughter, the lovely Karen. After discharge from the military Juddie was hired as a staff attorney at Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the family moved to Gardiner, where their third daughter, a total joy, the light of their life, was born! In fact, upon Janie’s birth the local paper published her picture with the plea “Gardiner General Hospital Needs your Help!”, and indeed they did! After many years as a family of five, their joy was complete when they were blessed with yet another amazing girl, Mary, who came into this world with a cape and tiara – a true princess! The family now settled in Newport, where Jud joined his father’s law practice. Polly was a stay-at-home mom long before the term was fashionable – she had a big family to raise! She had many friends and there were wild card parties that lasted well into the night. She was active in local volunteer efforts and led Girl Scout troops for several years, cookie sales and all, and was active in the local PTA. Polly loved being a wife and mother and being part of a tight knit Maine community. After Jud’s death at the age of 51, she had the formidable task of raising their youngest two daughters on her own; to those who know Janie and Mary, this was an amazing feat. Polly was terribly proud of her four girls and would brag them up to all who would listen. Mom may best be remembered by her favorite phrase, “Shhh, don’t tell Mary!”
Pauline is survived by her four girls and their families, Linda Nagy and her sons, Ronnie, Todd and family; Karen and her husband, David Rand, and their children, Joi and Judson and their families; Janie and her husband, Dale Duncan, and their children, Chris, Derek and Jessi and their families; and Mary Jude and Mark Hanks and his children, Becca and Dan. “Nana,” “Big N,” “Nan,” “Nana Jude” adored her grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, each of them knew they were her favorite. Polly’s only surviving sibling is Jody Bouchard Leavitt, who had a very special place in her heart. She also is survived by several nieces and nephews, all of whom meant a great deal to her. Polly lived for nearly the last 20 years in Orrington with Mark and Mary, she dearly loved her home and the nature around it, as well as her many wonderful friends from the Mill Creek neighborhood, all will miss her greatly. A very important person in her life for many, many years is her special friend, Tom Roche, a wonderful support to Polly and her family, particularly in these last few months. She will be terribly missed by her many grandpets, but most specifically Pierre and Wing Nut, who loved to cuddle with Nana. Pauline was predeceased by her husband, Judson, in 1967; her sisters, Ruth and Thelma; her brothers, Alton, John, Bill, who most recently passed at the age of 99, and an infant brother; as well as several special nieces and nephews. The family extends their most profound thanks and appreciation to the providers she loved, Dr. Iyad Sabbagh and Sande Curtis, F.N.P.-C, and the compassionate care and comfort offered to our Mom by New Hope Hospice.
A private service will be held for the family and close friends. Those who wish to remember Pauline in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Friends of Kindred Spirits, P.O. Box 63, Orrington, ME 04474, a charity that supports elders and their pets, or New Hope Hospice, P.O. Box 70, Eddington, ME 04428-0070. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.