MANCHESTER – On Sunday, Feb.12, 2023, after a brief illness, Lottie Randlette Carlson, 97, of Manchester, Maine, peacefully resigned her post as the matriarch of the Aldens, surrounded by her family at the Androscoggin Hospice House. Born March 17, 1925, the daughter of George and Rita Alden Randlette, Lottie was raised in Winthrop.

Lottie was a proud descendant of John and Priscilla Alden: settlers from the Mayflower. She spent much of her time growing up with her grandparents Everett and Mary Alden, as well as on the family farm with her Aunt Ellen Alden who, as a single female business owner, significantly influenced the dynamic leader and community member Lottie became.

Lottie began her education in the Winthrop school system and never stopped learning. After high school graduation in 1943 she attended business school in Augusta. In her 40’s she returned to school to get a Bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Maine, then went on to get her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Florida. She was a member and active participant of the University of Maine Senior College, serving for years on the curriculum committee, and taking classes as recently as last year.

In September of 1949 she married the love of her life Henry A. Carlson. They remained truly devoted to each other for their 60 years of marriage until his death in 2010. Together they built a life of adventure, service and community involvement. They owned and operated The Carlson Agency doing both insurance and real estate together until 1984. They designed and built a beautiful vacation home “Lower Lights” on the ocean in New Harbor, Maine and loved to entertain there. They spent many days with Lottie driving and Henry as her co pilot traveling. Destinations ranged from in the state: to the coast, camping trips and shopping and throughout the US and Canada especially enjoying: Digby, Newfoundland, Florida and the Western US. Both Henry and Lottie greatly enjoyed spending time with their siblings and nieces and nephews, traveling with them and hosting them for family events.

Although Lottie held many jobs in her lifetime, her calling was social work and in this she excelled. Proud of her husband’s service as a Marine Sergeant in World War 2, she gladly served as a Social Worker at Togus VA Hospital. She had a great passion for the work she did at Togus and this important work affected the lives of many Veterans and their families.

With Henry, Lottie was an active, faithful, lifetime member of the Winthrop United Methodist Church where she served on many committees, took great interest in the children of the church, helped with fundraising, and especially loved the Veterans’ day celebrations. Over the years she prepared many meals for those in need all around her community. She was well known for her chicken pot pies and macaroni and cheese, a recipe she recently taught to Greg as he was caring for her.

Always fashionable and an avid shopper, she was well known at her favorite store Chico’s and she knew their staff by name. She had her hair done in the latest styles and was often the most “put together” woman in whatever room she was in even as she aged. She adorned the walls of her home with art and took classes in various artists, with Andrew Wyeth being her favorite. She cultivated, with great efficiency, beautiful flower gardens around her homes and enjoyed watching the birds, deer and her flowers bloom from the large windows of her Manchester home.

A true renaissance woman, Lottie loved the arts, could play both the piano and organ by ear, loved singing hymns and singing along with Willie Nelson whom she liked because he was a rebel like she was. Her house was full of books, those she had read and those she was currently reading. She could always be counted on to recite a poem appropriate to the situation. Lottie was an active part of three book clubs and loved hosting meetings and having lively discussions. Lottie remained active in politics her whole life volunteering, engaging in debates and remaining educated on current events. Her zest for life, keen eye for observations, sharp memory and quick wit made her a wonderful conversationalist, a caring friend, keeper of family stories and a dynamic member of any community.

Lottie’s thanksgiving blessings will be greatly missed by her sister Elda Sanborn and husband Dana of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, her brother Joseph Palleschi and partner Greg Hall of Mt. Vernon, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews on all sides of the family. She will not be forgotten by anyone who was blessed to meet her energetic spirit.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, brothers Everett Palleschi, Hartley Palleschi and Bradley Randlette and sisters Nita McKenney, Marion Frost, Natalie Brann, Barbara Sousa and Marcia Cooper.

The entire family would like to thank niece Karen McKenney and the Androscoggin Hospice House for their care of Lottie and assistance to the family in her last days. She wanted to remain at home as long as possible and this could not have happened without the extraordinary support of her brother Joe and her dearest friend Greg who provided her with the utmost love and care.

From an early age on the farm, Lottie became a lover of all animals (except cats), especially black Labrador retrievers. She had many loyal labs as pets over the years who recognized her devotion to them.

Lottie’s visitation will be in the Winthrop United Methodist Church, 58 Main Street, Winthrop on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2023, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Her Funeral Service will begin at 3 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Her burial will be in the spring at Glenside Cemetery, Winthrop.
Arrangements are in the care of the Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St. Winthrop where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting www.khrfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory be made to: Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane.

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