Pauline R. Haven, 97, of Sanford, Maine and formerly of Nashua, NH, passed away Sunday morning, November 15, 2015 at The Newton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in Sanford. She was the wife of the late Walter A. Haven.
A longtime Nashua resident, Mrs. Haven was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on November 30, 1917 the third child of Arthur and Blanche (Hebert) Melancon. As a child growing up in Nashua, Pauline and her family were survivors of the May 4th 1930 “Great Nashua Fire” in Crown Hill. Despite losing everything in the fire, she continued her education at Holy Infant Jesus School and graduated from Nashua High School Class of 1935. She subsequently worked for many years at the former J.F. McElwain Shoe Company in Nashua.
Pauline and her husband Walter were married on July 4, 1941 in Nashua where they resided and raised their family. They were married for 53 years until his death in September 1996. Pauline is survived by her four children and their spouses, Dolores M. (Haven) and Clifford Bergeron of Reardon, WA, Paul A. and June Haven of Cape Neddick, ME, Robert W. Haven and James Mawyer of Lexington, Ky and Karl W. and Sheila Haven of Milford, NH; a sister-in-law, Theresa “Terry” Haven of Nashua; also many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Pauline’s two brothers, Leo Melancon and Rene “Sox” Melancon, and sister, Carmen (Melancon) Raymond predeceased her.
Mrs. Haven was a communicant of St. Christopher Church in Nashua and was among the founding families of the parish. She greatly enjoyed gardening and the bragging rights for harvesting the first ripe tomato in the neighborhood! In later years, she developed an artistic ability with decorative tole painting. Pauline found pleasure in ballroom dancing to the tunes of the Big Band era.
SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Christopher Church, 62 Manchester Street, Nashua, Thursday morning at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend and will gather at the church. The family wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary care provided to her by the dedicated healthcare providers at The Newton Center. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in her name to the Activity Department at The Newton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, 35 July Street, Sanford, ME 04073. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
