MACHIAS – Surrounded by family, Paula Louise (Vose) Maker passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at a Bangor hospital. She was born Feb. 1, 1947.
Paula grew up in East Machias and attended Washington Academy, where she graduated salutatorian of her class in 1964. It was here she met her high school sweetheart and future husband of 47 years, Marvin Craig Maker. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Machias in 1970. Always a bookworm, her career as a librarian began when she was hired as an assistant at Porter Memorial Library, Machias. She soon became the town librarian of Sturdivant Library, East Machias. After being hired as the library director at Washington Academy in 1977, she pursued and obtained her master’s degree in library science from Clarion University in 1986. Despite developing complications with her health, Paula worked at Washington Academy until her retirement in 2010. A longtime member of Sturdivant Library Board, she then spent much of her time developing the library’s collection and writing grants to improve the library’s facilities. Throughout her career Paula was recognized for her professionalism, her passion, and the genuine care she showed for her students and patrons. In addition to her passion for books and reading, Paula had an affinity for the ocean. She could often be found at one of her favorite seaside spots at the East Side of Machiasport, always with a book and crossword puzzle close at hand. She loved music, especially reggae, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was an excellent listener. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and cherished time with her grandchildren.
Paula was predeceased by her parents, Alice (Roberts) Vose and William Vose; her grandson, Evan Jewel Weston; and her nephew, Ian William Parker. She is survived by her husband, Craig; daughter, Lindy (Maker) Weston and son-in-law, Heron; son, Josh and daughter-in-law, Colleen; sister, Kathy (Vose) Anderson and husband, Bill, and their children, Tonya and Kevin; sister, Jane (Vose) Hooper and husband, Wayne; and sister, Jeannie Vose. She was a beloved “grandmother,” as she liked to be called, to her three grandchildren, Alex Maker, Grace Maker and Kieran Weston.
A springtime service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Sturdivant Library, care of town of East Machias, P.O. Box 117, East Machias, ME 04630.