Elsie L Cunningham

Plantation 21 and Calais - Elsie Polk Cunningham graduated to her heavenly home on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 at Atlantic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Calais. She was born in Eastport, May 29, 1918, daughter of Merrill & Lena (McDonald) Laughton. She attended Eastport schools, and moved to Plantation # 21 at the age of 14, and remained there until last year. She also attended UMM, WCVTI and Chicago School of Nursing. Elsie was very active throughout her lifetime. She worked numerous jobs during her life. She worked as an LPN at Barnards Nursing Home in Calais, St Croix Family Health Center in Princeton and also did private duty nursing. Elsie was a secretary for the school systems in both Princeton & Baileyville. She worked at the Princeton Town office and for Fenderson Insurance Agency in Calais. She served Town Clerk for Plantation 21 and the State of Maine for many years. As a notary, she was pleased to perform many marriages. Elsie and her first husband, Kenneth owned a logging business for many years. During that time, she became known as the Dragon Lady to many of her CB friends around the world. Elsie enjoyed being around people and out in the community. She took pride in her ability to play the piano and organ, and performed at numerous weddings and funerals. She attended the Princeton Baptist Church for many years, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, Daily Vacation Bible School, and was instrumental in the Big Lake Campground Meetings. She had frequently played the piano and organ at Woodland Pentecostal Church in Baileyville, the People’s United Methodist Church in Baileyville, the Baptist Church in Princeton, and the Bethel Chapel in Talmadge. She retired from playing at the Congregational Church in Princeton last year, after 26 years. She was a 50+ year member of the Grange in Alexander and Princeton. Elsie was predeceased by her first husband of 55 years Kenneth Polk in 1989, her second husband of 14 years Andrew Cunningham in March 2009, her son, Maurice Polk in 1999, her father Merrill Laughton in 1974, her mother, Lena Camic in 1940, her stepmother, Agnes Laughton in 1983, a sister, Ida Cook in 1952, a brother Stanley Camic, a great granddaughter, Tracey Lawless in 1981, a great grandson Matthew Childress in 2007. Also her lifelong friend Rena Kneeland in December 2008. Elsie is survived by a sister, Agnes and Perry Drost of Parsonsfield, a brother, Reid and Carol Camic of Brunswick. Her grandchildren: Carmen & her husband George Small of Robbinston, Maurice (Andy) and his wife Patricia Polk of Whitehouse, TN, Lorrie Johnson of Baileyville, Philip and his wife Cindy Polk of Princeton, Shelly and her husband Vernon Childress of Robbinston, Michael Polk of Baileyville, Maurice and his wife Addie Polk of Baring, Zelda and and her husband Murray Bishop of Chipman, NB, Angela Nesbitt of Baileyville, Byron and his wife Kimberly Polk of Sherman, and Darlene and her husband Lee Ward of Hopewell, Virginia; Two sisters-in-law Alfreda Morrison and Freda Polk of Calais; and a step-brother-in-law Wilbur Spearin of Princeton. She is also survived by many great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais & Eastport.


Memorials:
Donations in Elsie’s memory may be made to the Princeton Congregation Church, 101 Slipps Point Rd., Princeton, ME 04668.


Cemetery:
Lakeview Cemetery
Plantation 21, ME (map/driving directions)



Visitations:
2:00PM to 4:00PM on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at Mays Funeral Home (map/driving directions)

6:00PM to 8:00PM on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at Mays Funeral Home (Prayer at 6:30PM) (map/driving directions)



Services:
In-state at 1:00PM, Service at 2:00PM at Princeton Congregational Church on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 (map/driving directions)