Cora Rand Paradis

Cora Rand Paradis, 99, died Sept. 12, 2022 at home in Orono, ME. Cora was born in Old Town, ME Nov. 24, 1922 to Linwood and Ethel (Taylor) Rand. Cora graduated from Old Town High School (1940) and Eastern Maine General Hospital Nursing School (now Husson University School of Nursing) as an RN in 1944. She fondly remembers her time in nursing school and as a nurse.

Cora was married to Col. Eugene J. Paradis, USMC for 58 years. She was the heart of her family and worked to enhance their lives wherever they lived. Crossing the USA several times, she made homes on both coasts, traveled to Panama, and the Philippines with her six children in tow. No matter where they were or what circumstance, Cora worked diligently to create a warm and loving home for her family. She served other Marine Corps families in Officer Wives Clubs, Navy Relief Society, Girl and Boy Scouts as Troop Leader and Den Mother, and delegate to The Far East Girl Scout Commission. She generously served those around her.

Retiring to Old Town, ME with her husband, Cora continued to serve her community at the Bangor Red Cross, The Maine Federation of Women’s Club as chapter president and District Governor, Women’s Legislative Council of Maine, the Penobscot County Republican Party, a founding member and board member of the Old Town Museum. You would often find her at the Old Town/Orono YMCA, Alzheimer’s disease fund races, town parades and events. She enjoyed her later years as an active member of the Dirigo Pines, Orono community. She was an activist at heart! Cora was pleased to provide scholarships for nursing students at Husson University and the Cora R. Paradis Scholarship for education majors at University of Maine.

Cora is survived by daughters, Ethel Lynne Sawyer (Bruce), Jeanne M. Paradis, Michelle P. McClellan (Michael), sons Emile E. (Debra), and Paul X. (Betsy), grandchildren: Todd, Katherine, Mathieu, Marc, Toby, Margaret, Patrick, great grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, sister Rita LeVasseur, half brother Llwellyn Rand and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, son Rand J., great granddaughter Anastasia Paradis, sisters Roberta Burr, Almira Languette, and Barbara Walker; brother Linwood Jr., half siblings, Sally Chaisson, Retire Rand, and niece Cheryl LeVasseur. Cora also was predeceased by her love in later life, Howard (Bucky) Merrill. She leaves many friends at Dirigo Pines Retirement Living Community.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses on EMMC Penobscot Pavilion Unit 6, EMMC Cardiology Department, Beacon Hospice, and especially the staff and care providers of Anchor Care Services for the attention and care provided our mother in recent years and her final days allowing family to be near and loving her.

Family and friends are invited to visit Sept. 15, 2022 4-6 PM. at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main Street, Old Town, Me. A celebration of life service will be held Sept. 16, 2022 at 11 AM at Old Town Methodist Church Stillwater Ave., Old Town, Me.

Donations in remembrance of Cora may be made to the Old Town Museum, 353 Main Street PO Box 375, Old Town, Me 04468 or the Old Town Orono YMCA, 472 Stillwater Ave., Old Town, Maine 04468.