Carole Jean (née Ambrose) McLellan, 91, of Portland, passed away on April 30, 2023, after a period of declining health.

Carole was born on July 10, 1931, to Leigh and Hilma Ambrose in Island Falls. She was born at home and weighed a whopping 2.5 pounds. Her grandmother, Mina White, sewed a little dress for her and placed her in a shoe box in the warming oven of the kitchen cook stove. Carole hiccupped for an entire week, which may have kept her lungs going!

Her family loved her as an only child, but when she was about 15 years old, her family welcomed her baby sister Linda. Carole and Linda, born years apart, were so remarkably close, and although later lived hundreds of miles apart, remained best friends and loving sisters until Linda’s passing from breast cancer in 1999.

Carole married her high school sweetheart, Bertrand James “Bud’ McLellan, on July 10, 1951, her 20th birthday. Bud always remarked that he WAS her birthday present! Bud and Carole flew to Nugent Camps at Chamberlain Lake for a brief honeymoon (via borrowed seaplane) then moved to Lincoln, Mass., where they lived until after their son Barry was born. They bought their first house in Tewksbury, Mass., and welcomed daughters Bonnie, Brenda, and Christy.

Later, they bought a large tract of land in Boxford, Mass., complete with gristmill and pond, and with business partners developed a subdivision there. They built a beautiful reproduction colonial home overlooking the pond. During the summer months, the family and pets (dog, cat, and bunny) traveled to northern Maine, waterskiing on Perry Pond, and visiting grandparents and large extended families.

In 1971, they bought “the camp,” on Trickey Pond in Naples, where the family legacy took hold and huge family gatherings the norm. Carole served dinners for up to 25 or 30 at a time, where meals seemed like Thanksgiving every week. Carole learned to slalom ski and volunteered as the “observer” in the Red Boat for hours on end while all the kids and relatives took turns waterskiing.

When Barry left home to fly for Bar Harbor Airlines and Bonnie went away to college, Carole went back to school and earned her certificate as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1974. Staff and patients appreciated her caring, compassion, and work ethic alike.

In 1979, Delta Airlines offered Bud the chance to fly the L-1011 jumbo jet, which required a relocation to Florida. Their first home was in Pompano Beach, then bought a larger home in Delray Beach, where they enjoyed playing tennis, boating, and making new friends.

When Bud retired, they bought a motor home and spent years traveling throughout the United States and Canada. One of her favorite places to visit was Branson, Mo.

In 2018, they sold their home in Florida and became “official” year-round residents of Trickey Pond. Carole was so happy to be with her family full time! She was a great cook, always well dressed and so beautiful! And so gracious, kind, and loving! All adored her!

She loved to entertain, shop, and go out to dinner and dance. Carole and Bud were fixtures at Sydney’s and Merced’s in Naples. She was always eager to play cards and games, enjoyed reading, and watching “her” soap opera. Carole stayed connected with her large extended family through letter writing and was known for never forgetting to send cards celebrating birthdays or other special occasions.

And Christmas! She had her little notebook filled with lists for everyone and spent months shopping and wrapping gifts.

Even when ill, she showed appreciation for the medical staff and was polite and kind. She always put others before herself and never complained; except to Bud, whom she referred to as “Henry” when exasperated with him. Her sense of humor and love for family, stayed with her until her passing. We miss her so!

Predeceased by her parents, sister, Linda, son Barry, and infant daughter Angela Dawn, Carole leaves behind her husband Bud, daughters Bonnie Pierpont and husband Richard, Brenda Olsen and husband Rolf, Christy Fogg and husband Robert, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and so many friends who loved her as family, as well as her cat, Misty.

Celebration of Life at Trickey Pond planned for later this summer.

May God Please bless her soul.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco where condolences and tributes may be shared at www. hallfuneralhome.net.