Michelle (Dionne) Pike, 73, died February 13, 2016, at an Orono hospital. She was born on April 9, 1942, in Augusta, in Augusta, the daughter of Felix and Ann O. (Faulkner) Dionne.
She was a graduate of Cony High School in 1960, and the University of New Hampshire in 1964. Michelle started her teaching career in Oakland, Maine for two years, and another four years in Florida. She then moved to Bangor, where she taught English at Bangor High School for 30 years. She retired in 2003.
Following in the footsteps of her father, Felix Dionne, who served as the Chairman of the Democratic Party in Augusta for a period of time, Michelle, also became very active in Maine Democratic politics. She also served as delegate to many State Conventions and served as Campaign Manager for several elected representatives. In her tenure with the party, Michelle had the privilege of working with many party leaders, at the state and national level, including Edmund Muskie, Ken Curtis, and George Mitchell.
In her other civic duties, Michelle was on the Board of Directors of Bansco Credit Union, the Bangor Education Association (BEA), an original Founder and Board Member of Northeast COMBAT, a consumer protection group, which is still active today.
Many of Michelle’s fondest moments were enjoyed playing canasta and doing crossword puzzles with her lifelong and very special friends, Betsy Glanville, Joan Ferrell, and the late Mary Hale. She loved to read, write poetry, and garden.
Michelle is survived by her husband of 29 years, James H. Pike, of Bangor, and her son, Matthew W. Pulley, of Bangor. She is also survived by her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Jamie Pulley and her son, Ammon Thomas, of Bangor, Jason Pulley of Portsmouth, NH, and Alex Pulley of Bangor. She is also survived by sons Sean Pike and his partner, Rhoda Bouchard, and his son Christopher of Bangor, Joseph Pike of Portland, and daughter Kim Pike and her partner Richard Shain, of Bangor, and her children Nathan Paulette of Bangor, and Libby with her husband William Kimball, and their four children, Gracelyn and Charlotte Bambrick, and Luke and Leia Kimball, all of Bangor.
Michelle is also survived by her very special cousin, Frances Ayotte of Augusta. Also, she is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. A special mention needs to be made of her constant companion of 15 years, her dear little dog, Riley.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7pm, Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Funeral Mass will be held 11am, Friday February 19, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 768 Ohio St., Bangor, followed by the Rite of Committal at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., following coming Committal Prayers. Those who wish to remember Michelle in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, 263 Main Street, or the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt Hope Ave. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
She was a graduate of Cony High School in 1960, and the University of New Hampshire in 1964. Michelle started her teaching career in Oakland, Maine for two years, and another four years in Florida. She then moved to Bangor, where she taught English at Bangor High School for 30 years. She retired in 2003.
Following in the footsteps of her father, Felix Dionne, who served as the Chairman of the Democratic Party in Augusta for a period of time, Michelle, also became very active in Maine Democratic politics. She also served as delegate to many State Conventions and served as Campaign Manager for several elected representatives. In her tenure with the party, Michelle had the privilege of working with many party leaders, at the state and national level, including Edmund Muskie, Ken Curtis, and George Mitchell.
In her other civic duties, Michelle was on the Board of Directors of Bansco Credit Union, the Bangor Education Association (BEA), an original Founder and Board Member of Northeast COMBAT, a consumer protection group, which is still active today.
Many of Michelle’s fondest moments were enjoyed playing canasta and doing crossword puzzles with her lifelong and very special friends, Betsy Glanville, Joan Ferrell, and the late Mary Hale. She loved to read, write poetry, and garden.
Michelle is survived by her husband of 29 years, James H. Pike, of Bangor, and her son, Matthew W. Pulley, of Bangor. She is also survived by her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Jamie Pulley and her son, Ammon Thomas, of Bangor, Jason Pulley of Portsmouth, NH, and Alex Pulley of Bangor. She is also survived by sons Sean Pike and his partner, Rhoda Bouchard, and his son Christopher of Bangor, Joseph Pike of Portland, and daughter Kim Pike and her partner Richard Shain, of Bangor, and her children Nathan Paulette of Bangor, and Libby with her husband William Kimball, and their four children, Gracelyn and Charlotte Bambrick, and Luke and Leia Kimball, all of Bangor.
Michelle is also survived by her very special cousin, Frances Ayotte of Augusta. Also, she is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. A special mention needs to be made of her constant companion of 15 years, her dear little dog, Riley.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7pm, Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Funeral Mass will be held 11am, Friday February 19, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 768 Ohio St., Bangor, followed by the Rite of Committal at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., following coming Committal Prayers. Those who wish to remember Michelle in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, 263 Main Street, or the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt Hope Ave. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
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