CAMDEN – Irene C. Pettee, 92, died Monday, December 3, 2018 at Windward Gardens in Camden, after an extended illness.

Born in Camden, June 23, 1926, she was the daughter of Roscoe L. and M. Geneva Fitzgerald Carver.  Irene attended Camden schools through her Junior year, when she left high school to begin work. After raising her family, she returned to school and was proud to graduate with the class of 1978, Camden / Rockport High School.

In the early years of her career, Irene worked at Camden Woolen Mills. 

September 23, 1950, she married Robert E. Pettee in Camden. Together they raised six children. Mr. Pettee died in 1988. 

Even while raising her children, Irene worked her entire adult life to help support her family.  For more than 15 years she worked at Camden Health Care Center, where she enjoyed the friendships of many co-workers.   

Except for a brief period when she lived in New Jersey, Irene has lived in the Midcoast area all her life.  For several years she lived in Warren before returning to Camden. 

As pastimes, Irene enjoyed reading, crocheting and knitting (particularly afghans and socks), but she often said, “Shopping is my biggest hobby”.

Other than her parents and husband, Irene was pre-deceased by her husband Harold Wooster in 2011; five brothers and a sister Marie Sobotka.  She is survived by her children, Carol J. Pettee of Camden, David E. Pettee of Hope, Helen E. Slocomb and her husband Carl of Rockport, Donald W. Pettee of Warren, Robert A. Pettee and his wife Sandra of St. George, Jon A. Pettee and his companion Louise of Orrington; a step-son Robert Parkinson of Northport; one sister, Lealda Oxton of Rockland; one brother, Edwin Ingraham and his wife Sharon of Searsmont; a brother-in-law, Benjamin Sobotka of Virginia; 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, December 10, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a brief service will be held at 4 p.m.  The Rev. Wayne Sawyer will officiate.  Private interment will be in the spring.

While flowers are gratefully accepted, those who wish may make memorial donations to The LifeFlight Foundation, P.O. Box 899, Camden, ME 04843 or at info@lifeflightmaine.org.

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