Christine Cole Carone '71

Christine Virginia Carone passed away at her home on May 13, 2026, in Fryeburg, Maine, as she was surrounded by family and friends at her home. She died from complications of chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer that she was recently diagnosed with.

Christine was born on April 3, 1953, in Fryeburg, Maine to Malcolm and Virginia Cole. She grew up in Fryeburg, Maine and graduated from Fryeburg Academy, and for a short time, she attended nursing school. She made many products over the years in the sewing industry, even though throughout her life she dreamed and fantasized about studying and adventuring as an archaeologist.

Early in her career, she worked at the Eastland Shoe Corp. in Fryeburg, Maine, making many different kinds of shoes and boots. She then worked at Log House Designs, sewing Gor-tex jackets, military gear, and before the NAFTA bill, she often made jackets for popular name-brand companies that so many people love and buy today.

For 28 years, she was the town clerk for Stow, Maine, She was known for being the tenacious guardian of the town’s interests, driven by a deep-seated passion for local politics. She was a radiant force of conviction who wasn't afraid to ruffle feathers if it meant making the town a better place, while creating equity, transparency and helping those who needed it.

She was always a fierce advocate for the underdog, believing that those in a position to help, have a duty to lift others as they climb, for the sake of compassion and understanding. She believed it is why we are here, and it is what gives us our humanity.

Guided by her own moral compass, she believed that the true measure of a person was how you treated those who could do nothing for you, and that is how she measured the worth and goodness of others.

However, she always allowed people to atone and fix their mistakes. She believed that holding on to grudges and anger only hurt oneself.

Christine loved to be creative, artistic, imaginative and playful with her children, and especially with her grandchildren. She was a talented knitter, crocheter, cross-stitcher, painter, seamstress, crafter, baker, crossword guru and bird enthusiast. She enjoyed adventures and traveling and learning about people’s stories and history.

Her humor was never one-sided; she was as good at taking a joke as she was at delivering one, relishing the lively back-and-forth that defined her most cherished relationships with a twinkle in her eye and a smirk on her face.

To know her was to be part of a long-running inside joke; she had a way of making every person feel like they were her favorite volley partner in a lifelong match of wits. Though there will be many rooms quieter without her, the echoes of her laughter and the memory of her spirited "back-and-forth" will continue to bring smiles to all who were lucky enough to be her sparring partner.

Christine is survived by her daughter, Carmen Carone of Brattleboro, Vt.; her son, James Carone of Fryeburg, Maine; her granddaughter, Sophia Carone of Lovell, Maine; her grandson, Jackson Carone of Lovell, Maine; her brother-in-law William Thurston of Fryeburg, Maine; bonus sons Eric Winchester and Daniel Bailey of Brattleboro, Vt.; bonus daughter Faith Carone of Lovell, Maine. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Robert Carone; her sister Peggy Thurston of Stow, Maine; and her brother Bruce Cole of Bath, Maine.

A celebration party of Christine's life will be held at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church at 857 Main St. in Fryeburg, Maine on June 13, 2026, at 11 a.m. The family invites all who knew her to attend to share some words, a poem, play or sing a song, and/or share their favorite memories. Refreshments will be served.

In lieu of traditional flowers, we ask that you consider contributing to Sophia and Jackson's future here. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support and generosity.