Grace Sylvia Paolino

Grace Sylvia Paolino of Portland, Maine passed peacefully at her niece's home surrounded by her family on May 28, 2025.
At 99 years old, Grace S. Paolino embodied the principles of love, tenderness, generosity, kindness, and laughter. Grace had an immense passion for life, cherishing it more than anything else. She spent her entire life in Portland, beginning her journey on "Little" Middle Street before relocating to Munjoy Hill. Grace entered the workforce at a young age, initially finding employment at McClellan's Five and Dime Department Store, and later advancing her career as a fashion sales associate at A.H. Benoit & Co. She attained recognition as a mail associate at UNUM, from which she retired in 1985. Following her retirement, she dedicated her time to care for her Mother and to volunteering at the voting polls on Munjoy Hill.
Grace was a devoted aunt, sister, cousin, friend, and, above all, daughter. She held profound affection for her father, Tommy Paolino, while honoring and cherishing her mother, Mary Rega Paolino, whom she cared for with exceptional devotion until her passing in 2002.
A member of the USO and a lifetime member of the Italian Heritage Club, Grace was particularly fond of boat excursions, lottery tickets, scratch tickets, and sweets. She eagerly anticipated family gatherings by the lakeside or poolside during the summers, as well as the traditional Italian Sunday dinners on Atlantic Street, where she would encourage everyone at the table to "Mangia." Her interests included attending plays at the Ogunquit Playhouse, visiting Boston, enjoying meals at Barnacle Billy's, Boothbay Harbor, and taking rides on the Songo River Queen in Naples, Maine-among her favorite destinations.
Grace's heart was filled with joy during her travels to New York to visit her brother Mike, his wife Evelyn, niece Patricia Paolino, nephews Thomas Paolino (SallyAnne), Steven Paolino (Diana), and niece Lisa Pietzak (John). These trips often included road trips to Atlantic City for gambling, visits to New York City to see the Radio City Rockettes, concerts at Jones Beach, and spending quality time together.
Grace played an integral role in her sister Joan McFarland's life, along with her husband Richard and their children, Maria Locke (John) and Denise Kaserman (Kevin). She cherished taking her nieces, Maria and Denise, downtown on Saturdays, where they would enjoy the morning at Bernie's Fashions, watching fashion shows while Aunt Grace had her hair washed, set, and styled.
Grace is predeceased by her parents, Mary Rega Paolino and Thomas Paolino of Portland, her brother Michael Paolino and his wife Evelyn of Holtsville, New York, and her sister Joann Paolino McFarland of Portland, Maine.
She is survived by her brother-in-law Richard McFarland, four nieces, two nephews, and fifteen grandnieces and grandnephews: Julia, Kyle and Johanna Kaserman; Chelsea and Jonathan Locke; Anna (Chad) Decker; Ryan, Michael, Kristen, Daniel, and Giovanni Paolino; Brianna (Joe) Maze; Kelsey (William) Gabriel; Shawn (Natalie) Pietzak; and Matt Pietzak.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Seaside Nursing Home and Beacon Hospice for the exceptional care they provided to Grace.
In Lieu of Flowers, please Donate to Grace's Favorite Charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org
Donate To St. Jude’s