Pauline T Brissette

OLD TOWN--On Thursday, December 3, 2020, Pauline Audrey (Turner) Brissette, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend passed away at the age of 98 with her family by her side. Polly was born on February 27, 1922 in Andover, New Brunswick, Canada to Raymond “Bob” and Lille-A Vale (Heath) Turner.

Growing up as a child through the Great Depression, Polly faced many challenges. After moving to the U.S. as a young child, she, as many children during this period, found herself temporarily separated from her parents. Relying on the love and support of her older sister Ceretha, Polly endured the many ups-and-downs this presented. She began working in the Ounegan Woolen Mill in Old Town, Maine at the age of 16 and graduated from OTHS in 1940. In 1943, Polly answered the call of duty and enlisted in the Coast Guard, proudly serving as a member of the SPARS, and served through to the wars end in 1945. She then used the GI Bill to attend the American School of Cosmetology, receiving her beauticians license.

In 1944, she married her sweetheart Wilfred "Franklin" Brissette, to whom she was married for 63 years. As a mother and a homemaker, Polly felt the best time of her life was raising her children. After the devastating loss of her firstborn child at the age of five, Polly went on to have two sons that became the focus of her life. As her sons grew up, she took great pride in being known as the neighborhood all-time wiffleball pitcher. She also served as the Gilman Falls school crossing guard for a number of years. As a grandmother and great-grandmother, Polly’s kind, loving, and devoted nature only grew. Known for her love of sweets, her dedication to wearing beaded necklaces so babies had something to play with, and her infectious laugh, Polly’s role of Gramma expanded far beyond her biological grandchildren. As a charter member of the iconic OPN, Gramma was often found playing with the little ones and marveling at the pictures shared at the end of every meal.

In addition to her parents and husband, Polly was predeceased by her daughter, Rebecca, sister Ceretha Brissette, and step-mother Virginia Bridgham.

She is survived by her sons Anthony “Tony” and wife Patti of St. George, Jonathan “Jon” and wife Shirley of Old Town; grandchildren Audrey and husband Wayne Slade Jr. of Seattle, WA; Christopher Brissette and wife Nicole of Milford; great-granddaughters Alyssa Slade, Brooke and Rebecca Brissette. Polly is also survived by her sister Charlene Brassbridge and husband Lawrence of Frankfort.

A deep and heartfelt thanks to her most devoted and loving niece, Margo Brissette.

The family would also like to thank the D-Unit Staff at the Maine Veterans Home for the wonderful care they provided during her stay, as well as the excellent support and care of Kindred Hospice of Bangor.

Per her wishes, there will be no services.

For those who wish to honor her memory, the family requests donations be made to the Bangor Salvation Army P.O. Box 1101 Bangor, ME 04402-1101