Obituary of Pauline Coleman

Pauline Coleman, 84, passed peacefully in her home in Dedham, Maine surrounded by family on August 31, 2025. Beloved wife of Thomas A. Coleman, Sr. of 62 years, Pauline was born on October 24, 1940 in Halifax, England to Hannah Walton. 

She grew up and attended school in England and moved to Long Island, New York in the early 1960's to work as a nanny. There, she met Tom Coleman at the Tuxedo Ballroom, located in New York City where she fell in love with his blue eyes and he with her Yorkie accent. They moved to Maine and were married in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Brewer. Together they raised six children. Pauline could be found at most events her six children participated in, as well as her fourteen grandchildren; you could always find her in the crowd, cheering them all on. After becoming a naturalized citizen, she was proud to volunteer at town elections. She was fondly known by many as "The Avon Lady," eventually becoming an Avon assistant district manager. 

She was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Brewer, ME where she was a long time member of the Altar Rosary Society including serving as president. She also taught as a catechist for 20 years. Later she would also become a regular parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bangor, ME, where she attended weekly services. 

Pauline is survived by her loving husband, Tom Coleman, Sr., of 62 years and their six children: Catherine Hamilton and her husband Stephen of Glenburn; Sharon Orcutt and her husband Jeff of Dedham; Denise Wescott of Pittsfield; Carmel Coleman of Ellsworth; Robin Coleman of Bangor; and Thomas Coleman, Jr. and his wife Amanda of Dedham; 14 grandchildren, Heather Jones (Gilman Thibeault), Zachary Hamilton, Kristina (Edward) Anthonis, Bryan Orcutt, Crystal, Kevin (Melissa) and William Wescott, Brooke (Christopher) Depot, Brandon and Colby Smith, Kaitlyn Rivera, Emma, Thomas Walter and Abigail Coleman; 8 great grandchildren, Anthony Clark, Manuel “MJ” DaSilva, Caleb and Wyatt Anthonis, Mya Brown, Aveen Orcutt, Rosalie and Scott Depot; sisters-in-law Kay Coleman, Ruthie (Connie) Mullaney, many nieces and nephews including a special niece, Greta (and husband Jim) Bash of England and their sons Paul and Robert. Predeceased by mother, Hannah Walton, mother-in-law and father in-law Viola and George Coleman, brother Wm. Leslie Walton, Sister-in-law Joan Spencer, and Brother-in-law Ronald Coleman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, September 8, 2025 at the St. Paul the Apostle, St. Mary's Catholic Church on Ohio St. in Bangor ME. Committal, burial, and reception will be held immediately following services. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Pauline's memory to Downeast Horizons, 38 Dirigo Drive, PO Box 906, Brewer, Maine 04412. Messages and memories of Pauline may be shared with her family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com .