Geraldine Mae Dole

Geraldine Mae Dole of Charlotte passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025. A devoted wife, mother, "Grammy," and sister, she lived a life of quiet strength, resilience, and kindness until the very end. Gerry was born May 1, 1932, in Newbury, MA, to Samuel and Bertha Russell. As the eighth of 11 children, she learned to cook and care for others from an early age. After graduating from The Perley School, where she played basketball, Gerry married the love of her life, Clement "Pete" Dole, in 1950. Together, they built a life on Pond Street in Georgetown and welcomed four children. In 1977, the Doles began a new chapter in Camden, ME. Here, Gerry assisted in the pharmacy at LaVerdiere's, made dear friends, and worked diligently in her kitchen preparing homemade meals and baked goods. At Christmas, family and guests could find tins filled with a variety of her delicious cookies: rum balls, red and white woven candy cane cookies, and her specialty - balish. In later years, Gerry and Pete enjoyed adventures across the U.S., which she documented with hundreds of photos that she loved to put into albums for sharing. Until dementia took her memory, she never missed sending a card for a birthday or special occasion. Gerry was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Pete, and her daughter, Catherine. She is survived by her children: Russell Dole (Darcy) of Swanville, ME; Robin Hazen of Huntersville, NC; and Carol Dole of Scarborough, ME; son-in-law Stephen Byrnes of Cushing, ME; grandchildren: Jared, Peter, Susan, Benjamin, Dominic, Carrie, Zachary, and Abby; great-grandchildren: Grady, Lucy, Sophia, and Cooper; sister Ginny West; and brother Richard Russell. Gerry will be laid to rest alongside Pete in Maine. Online condolences can be shared at https://www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com. The family is grateful to the nurses and caregivers at White Oak Manor in Charlotte for caring for Gerry in her final years.