Pauline Mae Frechette

VENICE, Fla. – Pauline Mae Frechette – 78, passed away surrounded by family on March 29, 2021 at Venice Regional Hospital in Venice, Fla. following a brief yet brave battle with cancer.

Pauline was born on April 8, 1942 in Waterville to Loretta and Guy Ready. She attended Catholic schools in Skowhegan until the 9th grade. In 1960, she graduated from Skowhegan High School where she was a Skowdette.

After high school, Pauline went to Mercy School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse in 1963. She worked for the Red Cross and various hospitals in the Southern United States until moving to Maine in 1971. She then worked as an office nurse for Dr. Denison and Dr. Jerome at Doctor’s Park in Augusta. When the Family Medicine Institute was established in 1973, she was the primary office nurse.

In 1974, she married the love of her life, Ted. After their wedding, she went back to college at University of Maine Portland-Gorham to obtain her Family Nurse Associate certification. Three new doctors started their own practice in Winthrop and Pauline was hired as one of their nurses. She worked for Dr. Hermann, Becker and Jerome until 1986 when she retired from nursing to work for the family business, Frechette’s Plumbing and Heating.

Pauline was very active in Maine Catholic Women’s groups. She was initiated into the Daughter’s of Isabella in June of 1980. She became Regent of St. Agnes Circle from 1986-1988 and 1993-1995. During her time with the circle, she introduced the Family Christmas Party and the Queen Isabella Program. As the Circle Delegate, she attended several state and national conventions, and several MDCCW and NCCW conventions. Pauline was the Circle Appointee and speaker at the St. Augustine Centennial Celebration in 1987. She was a member of the Past Regent’s Club, MDCCW Past President’s Club, the Chairman of State Daughters Convention in 1995 and from 1997-1999, she was the president of the Maine Diocese Council of Catholic Women. From 2005-2007, she served as the Boston Province Director.

Pauline is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Ted Frechette; daughter, April Cusick and her husband Steve, daughter, Marie Herrick and her husband Dan, and son, Michael Frechette and his wife Donna.

Pauline was so very proud of her six grandchildren, Jonathan Nadeau and his fiancée Christine, Jason Nadeau and his fiancée Sarah, Nathan Frechette, Kayla Frechette and her fiancé Joey, Matthew Rodrigue and his wife Nicole, and Tyler Rodrigue and his wife Ashley.

Pauline was equally proud of her 12 great-grandchildren, Nicholas Nadeau, Cadence Nadeau, Elissa Nadeau, Carter Wight, Sadie Nadeau, Emma Nadeau, Brayden Nadeau, Elizabeth Rodrigue, Benjamin Rodrigue, Malcolm Rodrigue, Harper Moore and Hadley Moore.

Pauline and Ted made Venice, Fla. their permanent home in 2011. She became known as the “Bocce Queen” of Island Walk because she made sure all were felt welcome and included in their daily games. The friends made on Jalisca Street, playing cards and on the Bocce courts became like family to them.

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Western Ave., Augusta.

Interment will follow at 12 p.m. at the niche wall at Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta.

The family sends out a heartfelt thank you to all who called, wrote, made meals, and sent cards and flowers.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

Donations may be made in Pauline’s memory to:

Tidewell Hospice,

5955 Rand Boulevard,

Sarasota, FL 34238, or to

St. Michael Parish,

24 Washington St.,

Augusta, ME 04330.


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