Carol A. McElwee

Carol Ann (Whited) McElwee, 80, of Caribou, died on September 26, 2025, after a long period of declining health following a stroke. She was born May 14, 1945, to Harris G. and Frances (Houghton) Whited in Oakland, California, where her father was stationed as a Navy pilot during WWII. After the war, the family established their home in Aroostook County.

As a teenager, Carol was always involved with the harvest on her family’s large potato farm; and was known for picking more than 100 barrels of potatoes a day several times – a rare feat by County standards. During those years, however, horses were Carol’s first love. An accomplished rider (English style), she served as a marshal at the Northern Maine Fair on her favorite horse named “Billie Parker.”

Carol was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, the University of Maine (Tri Delta sorority), and the University of Southern Maine (master’s in education). She taught English at Middletown (NY) High School for two years, at Scarborough High School for four years, and at Caribou High School for 37 years. A fun and dedicated teacher, Carol was a longtime advisor to the National Honor Society, who not only prepared students for college, but also shared practical skills related to drafting resumes and job applications and interviews. In semi-retirement, she taught continuing education in Caribou, as well as outreach courses for the University of Maine, Husson College, and Northern Maine Community College.

In addition to teaching, public service was in Carol’s blood. A longtime member and past president of the Caribou Kiwanis Club, she was involved in innumerable civic activities in Caribou for decades -- for which she was honored as Caribou’s Citizen of the Year in 2011. Carol also served three consecutive terms in the Maine House of Representatives for Caribou from 2012 to 2018.

Although always active, and a longtime skier and golfer (at Aroostook Valley Country Club), Carol took up long-distance running in her 40’s and became known for this passion throughout the County. Her first jog of about four miles was almost done as a lark, but (likely inspired by other Caribou teachers) she was soon running road races with the Caribou Mûsterds Running Club. Her love of running continued for more than 30 years, with hundreds of races completed across Maine, as well as several marathons, including Boston and New York. Through her dedication to this sport, even in the coldest of County winters, Carol inspired many local athletes.

Carol was known for her great strength and independence, as well as her kind and generous spirit – and she was a superb hostess and cook. Her annual Christmas party was a favorite affair for decades; and her delicious homemade molasses and oatmeal bread and rolls were legendary, particularly in a certain bird hunting camp in the Allagash. Carol always made everyone around her feel special.

For 17 years, Carol was married to John D. McElwee of Houlton, with whom she proudly shared a daughter, former United States Attorney for Maine and current Maine Superior Court Justice, Darcie N. McElwee. Carol and John divorced in 1986, but shared a friendship for the ages, and he was a remarkable support to her throughout her life.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, and her sister and brother-in-law, Priscilla and Lee Scott Fields, Jr. She is survived by Darcie and her much beloved grandchildren, Scarlet and Jack, all of Scarborough, her former husband and his partner, John McElwee and Kate Debevoise, of Yarmouth, her sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and William Sunday of Franklin, Virginia, her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Cynthia Whited of Dedham, and several nieces and nephews, including a special niece and her husband, Stephanie and Dale Beaulieu, of Fort Fairfield, who provided Carol tremendous love and support in recent years.

Her entire family is beyond grateful for, and expresses tremendous thanks to, the staff of both Leisure Village in Presque Isle and the Caribou Nursing Home for the outstanding care Carol received in her final years.

Visting hours will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00pm at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10:00am at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 34 Vaughn Street, Caribou, with a reception to follow at 11:30am at the Caribou Inn Ballroom, 19 Main Street, Caribou.