Carrie Gray Holgerson, obituary

Mon, 05/20/2019 - 2:00pm

ROCKPORT — Carrie Gray Holgerson died May 18, 2019 in Rockport, surrounded by loved ones.

Carrie was born July 25, 1925, the second daughter of George and Jeanie Gray. She was born and raised on Vinalhaven and attended Lincoln High School. She held various jobs including working at the Knox Mill, State of Maine, and as a companion in her later years.

Carrie moved to Camden in 1954 to work in the mill and raise her two sons, Robert and Douglas. Her love of Vinalhaven and her mother took her back to the island in 1976 to care for her mother until her death. Carrie again moved to the mainland to be closer to her family in the late nineties.

Carrie and her beloved sister Margaret frequently played duets in church, both singing and playing piano. The two shared a love of family, God and music that was evident to all who knew them.

Carrie was an active member of Owls Head Baptist Church and later West Rockport Baptist Church. She played the organ and piano by ear and frequently volunteered her talent to church services and for nursing home services. Carrie was an avid Scrabble player and kept an active gaming schedule so she could regularly beat all her friends and remind them that “Qi” was in fact a valid word. Carrie had a love of food especially Wasses Hot Dogs, where she was always eager to visit.

Other than her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Margaret E. Torfason and son Robert J. Holgerson.

She is survived by her son Douglas G. Holgerson and companion Margaret Mayo of Sebring FL; granddaughters, Mrs. Anne M. Devlin of Port St. Lucie FL, Ms. Sharon M. Holgerson of Tampa, FL and Dr. Carly Holgerson of West Palm Beach, FL, four great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren, two nieces, Ms. Barbara Hill and Mrs. Lucy Harden, and her much loved, faithful companion Violet the cat.

The family would like to thank the Sussman House staff and volunteers who provided exceptional end of life care.

A service honoring Carrie’s life will be held Thursday, May 23, at 4 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

Interment will be Friday, May 24, at 9 a.m., at Roberts Cemetery, Vinalhaven.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift, or Meals on Wheels, Making Community Happen, 46 Summer Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or story with Carrie’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com