Carolyn Mitchell Gage

1929 - 2022

Auburn - Carolyn M. Gage, age 93, of Auburn, passed away Wednesday morning April 20th at the Androscoggin Hospice House with her family at her side. She was born in West Freeman, Maine, on March 5, 1929, the oldest of four children born to Clarence and Lucille (Brackley) Mitchell. Carolyn attended Strong High School, where she played varsity basketball, graduating in 1947 as her class valedictorian. Following high school, she attended Westbrook Junior College, Class of 1949. On September 3, 1949, Carolyn married the love of her life, Frederick Gage, at the Methodist Church in Strong; after living in Boston and then Wilton, they eventually settled on Minot Ave. in Auburn in the mid-fifties to raise their family. He predeceased her in 2016.

Carolyn worked for many years as a secretary in the Auburn school system, spending most of those years at Washburn Elementary School and a few years at Webster Elementary School until her retirement. She was a longtime member of the Minot Corner Methodist Church and also a member of United Commercial Travelers (UCT).

Among her favorite enjoyments were reading, bowling, golfing, swimming, and cross-country skiing. Carolyn bowled for many years in candlepin leagues at Auburn Lanes and competed in golf leagues at Summit Springs Golf Course in Poland. She enjoyed summer weekends and vacations at her family's camp on Rangeley Lake for many years. Later, she loved spending peaceful and relaxing time at the Gage camp on Dexter Pond in Winthrop and also traveling around the country with Fred, visiting different places, including playing golf at Myrtle Beach. She also had many friends she cherished. Carolyn also loved her New England sports teams as she was an avid Boston Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots fan and was thrilled to have seen all of those championships in the last 20 years. But her greatest pleasure and enjoyment, by far, was her family and all the fun and special times and memories that they all shared.

Carolyn was a loving, devoted and hard-working wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.

She leaves behind her two daughters, Debra Neuschwanger and husband John of Auburn and Karen Lavoie and husband Nelson of Turner; two grandchildren, Tara Neuschwanger (Eric) and Kris LaBelle (Justin); two step-grandchildren, Crystal Lavoie Johnson and Jeff Lavoie (Tanya); five great-grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce Keefe of Auburn and Clarice Stinchfield (Ron) of Farmington; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Fred Gage, and her brother, Clarence Mitchell.

At her request, there will be no funeral service; a graveside service will take place May 14 at 11:00 AM at the family lot at the Strong Village Cemetery in Strong, ME. A reception will follow at the Strong Methodist Church Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations in Carolyn's memory to the Minot Corner Methodist Church, PO Box 63, Minot, ME 04258 or to the Strong Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Charles Snell, 51 Spruce Nubble Road, Freeman Township, ME 04983. To leave a message for the family in their online guestbook, please visit www.thefortingroupauburn.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of The Fortin Group Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 217 Turner St. Auburn, ME 207-783-8545