Nell M. Caine

Brewer-Bangor-Nell Mathis Caine, 91 was summoned home by her heavenly father on Friday August 7, 2020. Nell was born on January 12, 1929 in Edgefield, SC the 5th daughter of twelve children, to parents James Daniel Mathis and Annie B Landrum. Nell’s father was a veteran of World War 1 and her mother stayed busy raising 12 children and working on their farm. Nell attended schools in South Carolina and graduated from Edgefield County School system and graduated from high school in 1948. After high school she decided to go to Washington DC where two of her brothers lived. There she worked in the White Uniform Factory until she moved to Boston. It was in Boston that she met the young man in the Navy, John Caine. They married on December 24, 1955 and were able to celebrate 63 memorable years of marriage. The family moved to Sanford, ME and then to Brewer which has been home for the last 52 years, raising 3 children. Nell and John started attended First Baptist Church in the 1980’s. Nell was a greeter and on the diaconate and was an active member of the quilting group. Quilting had been a well loved hobby, as well as she was accomplished at ceramics. Nell and John were active members of the Central Maine Street Rods club, and thru this club, spent time giving back to the community. After raising her children, Nell found another way to show off her cooking skills at Olde World Gourmet, in Bangor, where she worked with her son. Her breakfast muffins and soups were crowd favorites in the community. After retiring, John and Nell traveling excursions took them to Alaska, Aruba, Montserrat, and various destinations in the US. The one thing that Nell says she was most proud of was her children. She was happy that she could have been a stay at home mom to be there when her children were growing up.
Nell is predeceased by her husband John, and survived by her children, Johnetta Downes and husband Charles of Ellsworth, Kathy Griffith of Atlanta, GA, and John Caine Jr and wife Kelly, of Perry Hall, MD; six grandchildren, Colby Downes and wife Hannah, Marcus Downes, Jaida Downes, Janelle Griffith, Alexander Caine, Ashton Caine. Nell is also survived by siblings: Ethel Gilley, Mary Mosley, Willie Mathis, Helen Mathis, Lydia Mathis, Eleanor Arrington. The family expresses their sincere gratitude to Nell’s caregivers, Georgina, Cheyenne and Mary. Relatives and friends are invited to call 5 to 7pm Sunday, August 16, 2020 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, where due to CDC guidelines, there will be limitations. Funeral services will be held on Monday August 17, 2020 at 1pm. CDC guidelines will be enforced on number of guests allowed. Following the burial, relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshment at the Family Reception Center at Brookings-Smith. CDC guidelines will be enforced. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com