Pauline Dorr

Pauline C. (Bates) Dorr, "Polly," 86, died May 6 at a Bangor hospital after a brief illness. She was born August 23, 1929 in Hampden, the daughter of Clyde and Viola (Downes) Bates. She was raised by her grandparents.
Pauline grew up in Hampden, graduating from Hampden Academy. She attended Farmington State Teacher's College, receiving a Teacher's Certificate. She graduated from University of Maine at Orono in 1965, with a BS in Education. In 1950, she married Albion M. Dorr, Jr. and they lived in Bangor. They celebrated 65 years of marriage in November. She taught in Levant for 4 years in a one room school house, grades K-8 and then taught in Hermon Schools for 30 years, retiring, teaching 5th grade. After retiring from teaching, she worked part-time for Penobscot Valley Industries, working with adults with disabilities for a few years. Pauline was active in Retired Teacher's of Penobscot County, and a past representative, New England and Maine Teacher's Associations, and Maine Association of Retirees. During her summers off, she drove her daughters to the horse shows, hauling the trailer wherever that competition may be. She enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens. She canned the fruits of her labor, making amazing pickles and relish. She loved to cook for large groups, always trying a new recipe. She was an avid reader and especially cookbooks. She won the Bangor Fair SPAM contest. Even in the last few weeks, she had her personal care staff cooking, trying new recipes, under her tutelage.
She was recently predeceased by her husband, Jr, February 6, 2016. They were soulmates, she loved him with all her heart and was beyond loss without him. He needed her more than us. Hence, they will be buried together. She was also predeceased by her parents, sisters, June Tegethoff, Hazel Colby, Madeline Moon, brothers, Benjamin and Arthur Bates, nephews, Robert Dorr, Alan Oxley, Terri Bragg and a niece, Bonnie Oxley.
Surviving are her daughters, Patricia Leture and her husband, Richard of Orono, Marie Wade and her husband, Peter of Farmington, Nancy MacLeod and her companion, Rick Taravella of Boynton Beach, Florida, six grandchildren, Melissa Leture, Vanessa Leture, Jason Wade, Daniel Wade, Sarah Wade, Lindsay MacLeod, several nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7pm, Thursday, May 12, 2016 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor where a funeral service will be held 11 am, Friday, May 13, 2016 with Andrew Files officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., following the service Friday. Interment will follow the reception at Pine Grove Cemetery, which will be a burial service for both Pauline & her husband, Jr. The family has a very special thank you to granddaughter, Melissa Leture, for taking care of both Polly and Jr. over the past several years. The family would like to thank St. Joseph's Hospital Fifth Floor CPCU and Home Health staff, and Loving Touch In Home Care staff for all of the wonderful care that Polly received. Those who wish to remember Polly, in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the St. Joseph's Hospital Fifth Floor CPCU Patient Care fund, c/o Darcie Lane, 360 Broadway, Bangor, ME, 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com