Gartley, Pauline G., 89, Presque Isle; in Presque Isle, October 2, 2008. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
Presque Isle – Pauline Gillan Gartley, 89, died at home on October 2nd, 2008. She was born on December 15, 1918, on a farm in Mars Hill. She was the youngest of five children. The family later moved to a large house in Blaine where she grew up.
After graduating from high school at Aroostook Central Institute in Mars Hill, she attended Ricker Junior College in Houlton, where she also worked in President Roosevelt’s Youth Corps. Following a semester at Farmington Normal School, she taught two years in a one room school in Littleton. She completed a nursing program at the Eye and Ear Infirmary in Portland and in 1947 received a nursing degree from Columbia Teacher’s College in New York City. She worked as a nurse at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital in Manhattan.
On December 17, 1947, she married Myron S. Gartley and returned to live in Presque Isle. They had two daughters, Sue and Sylvia and a son, George. She helped Myron on the farm and set up the Tumor Clinic and Cancer Registry at Presque Isle General Hospital. She also taught student nurses in the Practical Nursing Program, taught classes at Aroostook State College and later worked as a visiting nurse. In 1971, she received a master’s degree from the University of Maine at Orono.
Polly was an active member of Grant Memorial Methodist Church and a volunteer with many local programs. She and Myron enjoyed traveling and meeting new people throughout the world. She was a voracious reader and seeker of knowledge. A fantastic cook, she had fans of her cookies and brownies from Maine to California. In the summer her flower garden provided enjoyment for all who traveled the Houlton Road.
She is survived by her husband, Myron S. Gartley of Presque Isle; her daughter Sue Gartley and long time companion Jeff Carter; her daughter Sylvia Smith and husband Steve; and her son, George Gartley, his wife Marcia of Presque Isle and their children Mary, Hannah, Lao, and Aliss, husband Rob and their daughter Sariah. She is also survived by Hal and Andrea Snow and their children Darcy and husband John, and Josh and wife Bente and their children Emma and Anna.
There will be no visiting hours. A service will held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home.