ROCKLAND — Pauline S. Grover, 98, died peacefully, following many comforting visits with her family at her side, Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Breakwater Commons in Rockland. Born in Portland on June 15, 1927, she was the daughter of Harley and Idella “Ella” Moreshead Stewart. Educated in Augusta, she was a graduate of Cony High School before earning a bachelor’s degree from Gorham State Teachers College.

In 1949 Pauline married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Grover, in Augusta. Together they made their home and raised their family primarily in Vermont. Moving back to their home state of Maine in 2006, they have resided together in Rockland ever since, most recently with the wonderful community at Bartlett Woods.

“Polly” spent her career as an elementary school teacher, working mainly in Shelburne, Vermont. She retired in the 1980’s to turn her attention full-time to a new ambitious project. Beginning in the early 1970’s Polly and Ken conceived of and built a round stone house in East Wallingford, Vermont, constructed of field stone and wood gathered nearby. With the help of family and friends they completed the home about 30 years later.

Shortly after Ken's retirement, Polly joined him on a cruise around South America on the SS Britanis, a riveted hull ship built in 1932. Polly and Ken traveled extensively in their 1989 Volkswagen Vanagon, including a 17,000 mile round trip to Alaska in 1997.  Following that trip, she pared back her Vanagon trips considerably. She knew her limits. In another travel chapter, Polly joined Ken to fly to San Francisco in 1987. From there they spent 10 days helping drive their son's family from California to Vermont in a 1950 Chevy flatbed truck and two VW Rabbits. In their earlier family life Polly and Ken often took the family of seven on camping trips with the camper that Ken and Polly built themselves. These trips frequently took them to various Vermont State Parks where many fond memories were made.

Always creative and full of style, Polly enjoyed using her hands, knitting and quilting many gifts for family and friends. A lover of people, she also employed her considerable social skills as a long-time volunteer in the Pen Bay Medical Center gift shop and earlier at the Wallingford, VT Public Library.

Pauline is survived by her husband, Kenneth A. Grover of Rockland; her children Steven E. Grover and his wife Cathy Klein of Burlington, Vermont, Pamela G. Terry of Rockland, Dean A. Grover and his wife Nancy Grover of Huntington, Vermont, and Mary G. Waugh and her husband Bernie Waugh of Hanover, New Hampshire; a brother, James Stewart of Gray; and grandchildren David Grover, Jess Grover, Carter Terry, Rachel Terry, Molly Grover and Henry Grover, as well as great-grandchildren, Alice Terry, Eleanor Terry, Nora Grover and Ryan Grover.

She was predeceased by her daughter Karen L. Grover, formerly of Raleigh, North Carolina, and her son-in-law George Terry IV, formerly of Bangor.

In keeping with her wishes, Pauline’s family will host a gathering for family and friends to celebrate her life on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2 p.m., at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

To share a memory or condolence with Pauline’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.