AUBURN - Carla McGuire, 60, mother, artist, friend, award-winning newspaper professional, and Hallowell, Maine, resident, died peacefully, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn.Born Sept. 3, 1958, in Streator, Ill., Carla was the daughter of Genevieve and Carl Lamagno. After graduating from Streator Township High School and Illinois Valley Community College, Carla entered the sales profession, selling advertising for the Streator Daily Times, and office sales in Ottawa, Ill. In 2004, Carla packed up her belongings and her son, Tony, and headed east, following her lifelong dream to live in Maine. She happily settled in central Maine and began work at the Kennebec Journal. Carla received awards for sales throughout her career, most recently "Advertising Person of the Year" by the Maine Press Association in 2017. Carla's magnetic personality drew people to her throughout her colorful and passionate life. This is evidenced by her many friends, including clients, neighbors and passersby who were welcomed at "Carla's patio" for coffee, a nibble and conversation whenever time and temperature allowed. Carla was a mother, and an artist, with life as her canvas and food, clothing, furnishings and painting her palette. Upon being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she was inspired to focus on life and death matters in her paintings. Moving art pieces poured forth, culminating in a highly successful premier 2017 art show. Carla's art and openness to sharing her journey with others became a catalyst, both with her close acquaintances and, eventually, the larger community, to experience living while dying in a whole new way. In her final year, Carla realized her dreams of visiting her ancestral and artistic Italian home, a trip to NYC, and seeing a moose. This was made possible by friends and her adopted home of Hallowell which, upon learning of her prognosis, held fundraisers to cover costs and to help some of Carla's "bucket-list" adventures come true. Carla loved planning and attending parties, so she created her own going-away party. In September of 2018, while she was still able to dance, over 250 well-wishers gathered for music, dancing, speeches, catered food and Carla's cakes. Memories filled with love and Carla's radiance are held close to many hearts. She will be greatly missed. Carla was predeceased by her parents; by her brother, Ronald Lamagno; by her niece, Tonya Lamagno and her nephew, Dan Lamagno. She is survived by her son, Anthony Johnston; her brother, Joseph Lamagno; several nieces and nephews and a community of close friends. At Carla's request, there are no visitation hours and no funeral service. Instead, she asked we all gather on the waterfront to send up wishes for which she can provide help from her new state of being. A time and date for this community ceremony will be announced. In the meantime, the family is assembling a scrapbook. Please mail your memories, funny stories, photographs, and videos to: Carla McGuire Tributes, c/o Cindy Stevens, Kennebec journal, 36 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:Androscoggin Home Health Care and Hospice House15 Strawberry AvenueLewiston, Maine 04240www.Androscoggin.org/donate
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2 Entries
When someone we love falls asleep in death, we treasure the fond memories we have of them. May those cherished memories and God's promise at John 6:40 bring you a measure of comfort. Please accept my heart felt sympathy.
SPS
January 11, 2019
Although I only knew Carla briefly, she impressed me with her enthusiasm for life and her talent as an artist. Rest in peace, Carla. Love, Nancy Blethen
January 11, 2019
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