BANGOR – Charlotte Marie Torrey, 91, died peacefully June 10, 2012, at a Bangor hospital. The eldest daughter of Eleanor Grace (Knowles) Torrey and Raymond Otis Torrey, Charlotte was born Aug. 14, 1920, in Bangor.
After graduating from Bangor High School in 1938, she attended the University of Maine where she majored in English literature and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1943. That year Charlotte went to work at Bangor Public Library, a career that was to last 37 years. After working for a time in the children’s department, she went on to head the extension department, which served local schools, hospitals and other institutions. In 1954, Charlotte was appointed librarian of Bangor Theological Seminary, an extension of Bangor Public Library. She held that position until 1959, and was instrumental in planning for the building of the library at the seminary. In 1975, Charlotte was appointed head of the reference department, becoming, in that pre-digital age, one of the city’s most valued sources for information of all kinds. Her research was called on by many, from serious scholars and strategic planners, to folks just looking for help with a crossword puzzle. Charlotte happily served them all, and held that position until her retirement in 1986. That she loved books and her work at the library was evident to all who knew her, but perhaps nothing gave her more pleasure than watching Bangor’s young people grow into novelists, architects, politicians, and business people, knowing that her work at the library had helped shape them into successful adults. A story she was fond of telling was of Bangor’s famous son, Stephen King, who was a voracious reader as a young man, and a regular library patron, but was sometimes late returning his books. She delighted in describing the young King coming to the counter with a big stack of books and a little ceramic teapot from which he counted out change to pay the overdue book fine. She delighted even more that he remained so committed to the Bangor community after he achieved his success. Charlotte Torrey loved the state of Maine. She counted a picnic on the rocks at Schoodic Point and a drive up Cadillac Mountain among her favorite things. And she spent many happy days at Ocean Park, Wells and Ogunquit beaches with family and friends. Charlotte was a lifelong member of Columbia Street Baptist Church where, at the time of her death, she was the longest-attending member. She joined the church upon her baptism at age 15, and grew keenly interested in the work of American Baptist Convention, attending its national meetings in Boston and its missionary conference in Green Lake, Wis. For several summers she attended the Baptist School of Methods, Ocean Park, and even in her 91st summer, loved attending services at The Temple, Ocean Park with her sister, Betty Fuller. Charlotte’s list of activities at Columbia Street is a long one. As a young person, she was a member of World Wide Guild and later, a leader of Ann Judson Guild. As an adult, Charlotte was a board member, and sang in the choir for many years. She was president and secretary of Jenny Riley Circle, president and secretary of Ruth Harris Circle, and secretary of Sunday school. Naturally, she helped establish Church Library Committee, and was its chairperson for many years. She attended a weekly Bible study group and even kept up with what they were studying while at Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center these last seven months. One of Charlotte’s favorite activities at Columbia Street Baptist was her work on the missionary committee. She was chairperson for many years, and often invited missionaries and their families to stay in her home. As a result, some came to be counted among her dearest friends. Charlotte was a member of Bangor-Brewer YWCA, and a member of Maine Library Association.
She is survived by her sister, Eleanor “Betty” Fuller of Gorham; three nephews, Donald C. Fuller Jr. of Durham and partner, Carolyn Williams, David A. Fuller of Gorham and wife, Jacqueline, and Kevin D. Fuller of Billerica, Mass., and wife, Mary; dear friends, Steve Littlefield, whom she fondly referred to as her “son” and wife, Marilynne Littlefield, of Hermon, and Paul and Winifred Dodge of Machiasport; cousins, Virginia Libby of Hermon and Dorismae Price of Plymouth, Mass.; great-nephew, Torrey P. Fuller and wife, Janine, of Braintree, Mass.; great-nieces, Jessica T. Fields of Auburn and husband, David, and Rebecca D. Fuller of Wiscasset; great-great-nephew, Liam Fuller; great-great-nieces, Ella Fields and Tula Fields; and great-great-nephew, Doctor Fields.
Family and friends may visit noon-2 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor, where a service in memory of Charlotte’s life will begin 2 p.m. Committal service and burial will be immediately afterward at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. There will also be a reception after services at Colombia Street Baptist Church. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, Charlotte asked that donations be made to Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401; or the missions budget of Columbia Street Baptist Church, 63 Columbia St., Bangor, ME 04401.