Carolyn Emma (Pottle) Shannon

Carolyn Shannon

SOUTH PORTLAND - Carolyn (Pottle) Shannon, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at South Portland Nursing Home.  Carolyn was born on February 27, 1920, in Perry, Maine, and was the daughter of Jesse and Florence (Davis) Pottle.

Carolyn grew up in Perry graduating from Shead High School in Eastport in 1938 and Kennebunk School of Commerce in 1941.  She worked for the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C from 1942 to 1947 and then returned home to work for S L Wadsworth & Son in Eastport.  In 1948 she married the love of her life, Willard “Mickey” Shannon.  In 1954 they moved the family to Waltham, Massachusetts where they would live for several years before returning to Eastport to live, and operate their business, the Flying A Service Station until Mickeys passing in 1963.  Carolyn worked for the Mearl Corporation for many years before moving her family to South Portland in 1967 where she worked as Assistant Personnel Director for W.H. Nichols until her retirement in 1985.  During retirement Carolyn volunteered her time at Maine Medical Center, Southern Maine Community College, and The First Baptist Church in South Portland where she was an active member for many years.

Carolyn’s priority in life was always her family and she loved spending as much time as possible with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was a tremendous cook, loved hosting holidays and she would be sure everyone had their favorite pie.  Her grandchildren loved her homemade bread and would usually leave with a loaf “under arm” and sometimes a bag of cookies as a bonus!  Everyone enjoyed Saturday evenings with “Nanny’s beans and rolls” and the table was usually full with family, friends or whoever dropped by.  Carolyn was an accomplished quilter and knitter.  She made sure each family member had their fair share of beautiful quilts and afghans over the years.  Carolyn was an avid fan of any event that her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren participated in.  She attended as many as she possibly could and usually yelled the loudest.  She was extremely strong, loving, never judgmental, always had a smile on her face and a wink in her eye (as anyone at S.P. Nursing Home can tell you).  Carolyn was a very positive influence for all those that knew her.  For many years she enjoyed her daily walks to Bug Light and made many of these with a grandchild holding her hand.  On these trips she managed to always find a 4-leaf clover!

Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, her husband Mickey, her son Ronnie and her brothers, Milton Pottle and Merle MacNichol.  She is survived by her daughter Judy Shannon of Portland, her son Jesse Shannon and his wife Jill of South Portland, grandchildren Carolyn Hoffman and her husband Eric, Krystal and Shawn Shannon, great grandchildren Alexa, Austin and Aidan Hoffman and her sister Mary “Alice” Pottle of Portland.

The family would like to thank the staff at South Portland Nursing Home for the wonderful and compassionate care shown Carolyn.  We will forever be grateful and appreciative for all that was done to make her stay the best it could be. 

Friends and family are invited to visiting hours from 3 to 4 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral & Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland. A Funeral Service will follow at 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to:

S.P. Nursing Home Resident Council

42 Anthoine Street

South Portland, ME  04106

 Service Information