Carole Ann Cust

Old Town- Carole Ann (Paradis) Cust, 74 wife of Harlan R. Cust, passed away March 5, 2012 peacefully at home with her loving family. She was born June 9, 1937, in Old Town, the daughter of Armond C. and Frances (Soucie) Paradis.

Carole Ann graduated from Old Town High School in 1955 and enjoyed 54 years of marriage. She loved spending time with her family and friends. Carole Ann especially enjoyed flowers (yellow roses were her favorite) and her beautiful gardens, reading, playing bridge and acey deucey. She was an avid golfer which she learned to play while she and her family were stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She also enjoyed swimming, scuba diving and skiing which is another sport she learned while overseas in Austria. Carole Ann participated in many activities. While in Cuba she organized a group that collected clothes and other necessary items for the people of Haiti. She then personally delivered and distributed the items to those in need in Haiti. Carole Ann was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Suicide and Crisis Center in Tampa, Fl and sold Real Estate for 13 years while in Tampa. She also worked with organizations that helped the poor and needy while she and her family were stationed in Naples, Italy. Carole Ann was a member of the Red Hat Society. She wa a very loving person and loved all she came in contact with. She especially loved small children. In restaurants she would stop at all the tables that had small children and would compliment the parents and talk with the children. She was always very friendly with the wait staff and as her Alzheimer’s progressed, they would take time to sit and chat with her.

Carole Ann is survived by her husband Harlan of Old Town; two sons Robert M. Cust and his wife Mendy of Middleton, OH and Scott A. Cust and his friend Heather of Virginia Beach, VA; her daughter Michele L. Kauppila and her husband Jim of Newburg; 6 grandchildren D. Scott Cust and his friend Sherry of Virginia Beach, VA, Torrey Cust of Virginia Beach, VA, S. Emily Cust of Virginia Beach, VA, Daniel Cust of Middleton, OH, Wesley Kauppila and Christopher Kaupilla both of Newburg, 1 great granddaughter Annabella Cust of Virginia Beach, VA; two sisters-in-law Carolyn Cust of Old Town and Sally Paradis of Old Town; her brother B. Edward Paradis and his wife Ginny of Zellwood, FL and her sister Barbara Jones and her husband Ron of Bangor; aunt Ruth Woodsum of Veazie; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Armand Raymond Paradis.

The family wishes to thank Beacon Hospice and MAS Home Care of Maine for their wonderful care of Carole Ann.

Friends may call 5-8PM Thursday at the Birmingham Funeral Home 438 Main St Old Town. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10AM Saturday at Parish of the Resurrection, Holy Family Church, Old Town. Immediately following the mass, all are invited to the Parish hall for a light luncheon and continued fellowship. Interment will be at a later date at Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Memorial contributions may be made to Beacon Hospice Inc, 304 Hancock St Suite 3A Bangor, ME 04401 or the Maine Alzheimer’s Association 170 US Route 1 Suite 250 Falmouth, ME 04105 . Notes of condolence may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com