1932 – 2013

NORWAY — Denise M. Poland, 81, of South Paris, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 14, from complications of COPD.

She was born June 20, 1932, in Long Beach, Calif. She attended Lewiston High School and worked in multiple different manufacturing jobs over her lifetime. She had worked for several years at Mecon Manufacturing in Oxford as an inspector.

Denise had been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Mechanic Falls for 36 years. She was an avid reader who also loved to knit and play computer games and cribbage. Mostly, she loved being with her family. She was the center of any gathering, and the whole world knew her simply as “Nana,” whether they were family or not.

She leaves behind a very loving family: daughter, Roxanne Taylor of Falmouth; sons, Kenneth Russell, and Jim Russell and wife, Jody; and daughter, Susan Wooden, all of Oxford; sisters, Lorraine Goulet of Newington, Conn., and Phyllis Bragdon of Lewiston; brother, Raymond Jackson and his wife, Diana, of Auburn; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Weldon Poland; and her parents, Laurette and Phillip Jackson and George Savard. 

The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of Market Square Health Center, where she very happily spent the last year and half of her life. She loved you all and had a special place in her heart for Kelly Thurston. We also want to thank Brian Nolan, M.D. and the nursing staff of the Special Care Unit of Stephens Memorial Hospital, especially Helena and Henry, for their extremely kind care of our mother during her last few days.