Carole A. Bernardini

Carole A. (Pressey) Bernardini, age 77 passed away peacefully on Friday, February 9, 2018, at Maine General Medical Center with her oldest daughter (Kim) and youngest son (Michael Sr.) holding her hands. Carole is the only child that was born to the late Clinton Pressey and Rena Pressey (Gordon) in New Sharon Maine. Carole was a great family woman and a loving mother, foster mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

She attended New Sharon elementary school and then graduated from Waterville Adult Education later on in life. She married Clarence E. Bernardini in April of 1957 and the couple had 5 children together. Carole worked for Diamond Match toothpick mill, Clarence's service station (which they owned together), cherished her job at Colby College in the PUB and for several local physicians, but Carole’s primary work was to care for people with intellectual disabilities in her home. Carole cared for many people for over 35 years and was a great advocate and caregiver. Carole's children remember her as a kind, gentle, patient, hospitable, talkative Mom. She was willing to feed everyone or anyone and taught many people life lessons, teaching the true meaning of life and how to love others with an unconditional heart and not to judge a person because of their different abilities. Carole enjoyed cooking, the holidays, telling stories, caring for people, taking care of those in need, helping the elderly, and telling her stories from the past.

Carole is survived by her children; Kim Poulin of Winslow and friend Lester Theriault Sr., Cheryl Walker of Waterville, Lawrence Bernardini of Winslow and Mike & Melissa Bernardini Sr. of Albion; and her two foster daughters Robyn Rowe and Jewel York. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren, Ian Poulin, Jared and Jessica Poulin, Matthew and Amanda Bernardini and friend Ladonna Walker, Nathan and Jane Bernardini, Rickey and Jessica Cochran, Nina and Bobby Frappier, Chris and Erica Bernardini, Andy Bernardini, Brian Stackpole, Michael and Lisa Bernardini, Daniel and Clarissa Bernardini, Vincent Bernardini, Zackariah Bernardini and Shelby Bowman, Makayla Bernardini and Tyrell Jones. Carole was double blessed by 30 great grandchildren, many cousins, sisters in laws, aunts, nieces and nephews. Carole and her husband, Clarence, gained a second family in the many students from Colby College, some of which got to visit and speak to her in her last days. The Colby hockey team considered her a Maine adoptive Mom for over 30 years.

Carole is preceded in death by her husband Clarence E. Bernardini, her daughter Cynthia (Bernardini) Macdonald, son in law Reginald Poulin of Winslow and Linda Hutchins (foster adult).

Carole will be most remembered for her huge heart and her willingness to help others.

A funeral service is scheduled for February 21st 2018, 1pm at the Maine Veterans Cemetery on Mt Vernon Road in Augusta, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the family, 91 Patterson Ave., Winslow ME 04901. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Maine General Medical Center who cared for Carole with all of her medical needs.