CAROLEE MAINES STIMPSON VAN VALKENBURGH

Carolee Van Valkenburgh, 73, of Richmond and Tenants Harbor, Maine, died peacefully at home on October 15, 2016 with her husband and children by her side.

Despite her fight with cancer, which she battled for almost 3 years, her irresistible smile and loving personality never stopped. Those who knew her drew their own strength from her as she tried to make life more bearable for everyone else.

Carolee was born in Bath, Maine on June 13, 1943, the first daughter of Earl Maines and Dorothy White Maines.  She went to school in Pride’s Corner, Westbrook, Maine, and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1961.  She earned her LPN at Mercy Hospital.           

She was a wonderful wife and “stay-home” mother.  She enjoyed attending her children’s events and hosting all their friends afterwards. She cherished her family and friends; people loved to be around her because she was so magnanimous and full of life.

Carolee was, by nature, very creative with a flair for decorating. She was also a great party planner and loved the holidays.  She enjoyed traveling with her husband and exploring old inns, seaside villages, markets, southern plantations, and old dirt roads.

She married 1^st Lieutenant Paul L. Stimpson of Portland in April 1966; Paul died subsequently when his helicopter crashed in Vietnam, April 1967.  They had one daughter, Shelley.

She met the love of her life, Jim Van Valkenburgh (Van) and they married on March 8, 1968 in California; together they formed a beautiful love story for 48 years.

Carolee was predeceased by her first husband, Paul Stimpson, and her father Earl Maines.  Surviving are her mother, Dorothy Maines; her husband Jim Van Valkenburgh; her 3 children, Shelley Magiera and her husband Dan, Jaymie Van Valkenburgh and partner Garrett Andritz, and James E. Van Valkenburgh (Chip) and Chip’s wife Vichitta; 2 granddaughters, Mikheala and Jacqueline Magiera; grandson Devin “Boone” Van Valkenburgh; her sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Phil Larson; sister-in-law, Karen Stimpson; brothers-in-law Mark and Richard Van Valkenburgh and his wife Nancy; sister-in-law Kim Sheely; Aunt Joanne Brown and dear Aunt, and close friend, Bev Henrikson; many cherished nephews, nieces, cousins; and her beloved and spoiled dog “TJ.” 

To celebrate a life well lived a remembrance service will be held at the Pride’s Corner Congregational Church, 235 Pride Street, in Westbrook, Maine on Sunday, October 23, at 12 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Carolee in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the wonderful Hospice service that allowed her to spend her final time at home:

Chan’s Hospice Fund

60 Baribeau Drive

Brunswick, ME 04011.