"Sylvia" Carolyn L'abbe (Shaw) August 15,1934 March 17, 2014 "Sylvia"" Carolyn L'abbe (Shaw), 79, of Presque Isle, died in Portland on March 17, 2014. She was born on August 15, 1934 in Fort Kent, the daughter of John and Alice (Long) L'abbe. She was valedictorian of Fork Kent High School in 1952. She then went on to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics at Maine Sate College, Farmington in 1956. In the same year she began her home economics teaching career at Fort Kent High School, which is where she met her future husband. Carolyn was married in the Catholic Church in 1958. In 1964 Carolyn and her young family moved to Presque Isle. She studied and earned her Elementary Ed Teaching Certificate from University of Maine, Presque Isle while teaching Home Economics at Cunningham Middle School. She remained there until 1970. Carolyn then taught 4th grade at Pine Street Middle School until her retirement in 1993. Carolyn was an educator in the public school system for a total of 37 years. During which time she received numerous awards and recognitions for her service and teaching skills. As one of her friends wrote; ""Teaching elementary school gave her such a good feeling... making sure they learned the 3R's but also to learn to love who they were. All those that took her Home Economic classes never forgot her or could thank her enough for teaching them how to cook and sew and bring them all the pleasure they enjoy now as adults."" During retirement Carolyn's need to stay involved in her community led her to find several part-time jobs. She became a private math and literacy tutor, as well as a public adult education teacher. She taught cooking, knitting, crocheting, and quilting among other things. At the Aroostook Centre Mall she worked in an antique shop where she learned and developed a passion for antiques and old artifacts. She also worked as a customer service representative at the information desk of the Mall, as well as a food demonstrator at Graves Shop & Save. During her later years Carolyn was very involved with her faith and her friendships. Carolyn was a very prolific woman of poise and character, with a passion for reading and learning new things. Her interests and hobbies were diverse including; speaking French, researching her family genealogy, cooking, sewing, knitting, crochet, reading, writing, folk art, decorating, antiques, and collecting. She shared the knowledge she had attained with everyone she knew. She was a born teacher that never stopped teaching and helping those that needed her. One of her great passions was volunteering for Echoes magazine. She was generous and kind. She loved spending time with and doing things for her loved ones. Predeceased by beloved son David Matthew Shaw, 1961. (The loss of her son David to cancer in 1961, was a life long wound that never healed.) Survived by 5 children & 13 (grandchildren): Michael Dana Shaw (Joshua Michael, Benjamin Dana, Abbie Carolyn, Adam Michael, Austin Dana), Stephen Anthony Shaw (Graham Nicolas, Logan Francis, Liam Dana). Anne Marie Shaw Caron, Marcia Lynn Shaw Ciorra (Auguste Anthony, Anntonella Dorethea) John Matthew (Mia Nali, David Kailin and Mathew Kevin) Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 4, 2014 from 6 - 8 pm at Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St, Presque Isle. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 11am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 6 Roberts St. Presque Isle. A reception will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 12 Chapman Rd., Presque Isle. Burial will be at a later date in Fort Kent. To offer condolences and share memories with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to C-A-N-C-E-R, an organization that helped Carolyn as she battled the disease. Checks can be made out to C-A-N-C-E-R P.O.Box 811 Presque Isle Me 04769 Web site: http://c-a-n-c-e-r.com/