Carole Joyce (Bailey) Power

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of our beloved Carole "CeCe" Power after a tough battle with Alzheimer's disease. She died at home peacefully surrounded by love. CeCe was a loving, carefree woman with a unique zest for everything in her life. She was an adventurer! She was artistic, creative, and a nature enthusiast. She loved to ride a good wave at Old Orchard Beach with her grandchildren and to treat them to a fun day of skiing at McIntyre Ski Area. She dressed up as the tooth fairy to retrieve a tooth and coaxed reluctant children into blueberry picking for hours in mosquito-infested woods to make blueberry pies. She was also known for making the best Christmas stockings and "Gonks". Her grandchildren fondly remember how she taught them to eat rhubarb and how to make "Sock Babies" (apparently better than the Sock Puppets she made with her children using Dad's dress socks!)

CeCe enjoyed spending time with her husband at their Old Orchard Beach House, spending time with her sisters, Diane and Judy, and sister in law Phyllis, mountain climbing with her children, going on long walks with her family, friends, and their dogs. She loved swimming (after performing a beautiful swan dive into a pool or lake, as was her specialty). CeCe was always enthusiastic and silly, but physically and mentally strong. She graduated from NHTI Nursing School in 1977 with 4 children at home. Carole worked for many years at the Elliot and CMC hospitals as a CICU and ICU nurse, and the Elliot Pain Center. In her retirement, CeCe enjoyed traveling with her husband, working as a CASA volunteer, tending to her beloved garden—a love that she shared as a volunteer for The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill. She had a lovely voice and sang or hummed her way through the day. She was a member of the choral group, Women Spirit Song, where she also learned to play percussion. She loved all animals, especially horses, and enjoyed riding on the weekends. She was always up for a trail ride in the woods, especially the exploring part. She rode and groomed until she forgot how. She sang her favorite songs until she forgot the words, but her eyes and a smile told us that she felt the love somewhere in her soul...still. We are happy that she is finally free.

CeCe is survived by her loving husband and devoted caregiver of many years Richard T. Power, their children Paul Power and wife, Dale, Judy Power Mueller and husband, Doug, Kristen Power Nealon and husband, Matthew, Colleen Power, Michael Power and wife, Christine and her 9 grandchildren. She was just shy of becoming a great grandmother in mid-August.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be outside from 4-6 pm on Monday, Aug 16th at the McIntyre Ski Area. The family requests flower-themed attire to celebrate her life and to bring cut flowers from their own gardens to add to the collection from hers. The family also requests masks to be worn by anyone unvaccinated and encourages mask wearing. In Lieu of flowers, please help us continue the fight by donating to our Team: CECE'S CRUSADERS to benefit the Alzheimer's Association at: https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=14532&pg=team&team_id=692234.

Poem from an Alzheimer's Patient
DO NOT ASK ME TO REMEMBER,
DON'T TRY TO MAKE ME UNDERSTAND.
LET ME REST AND KNOW YOU'RE WITH ME,
KISS MY CHEEK AND HOLD MY HAND.
I'M SO CONFUSED BEYOND YOUR CONCEPT,
I AM SAD AND SICK AND LOST.
ALL I KNOW IS THAT I NEED YOU,
TO BE WITH ME AT ALL COST.
SO DO NOT LOSE YOUR PATIENCE WITH ME,
DO NOT SCOLD OR CURSE OR CRY.
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I'M ACTING,
CAN'T BE DIFFERENT THOUGH I TRY.
JUST REMEMBER THAT I NEED YOU,
THAT THE BEST OF ME IS GONE.
PLEASE DON'T FAIL TO STAND BESIDE ME,
LOVE ME 'TIL MY LIFE IS GONE.