Faylene L. Cleveland Obituary (1928 - 2017)

SKOWHEGAN – Faylene L. Cleveland, 89, entered her heavenly home on Saturday, December 30, 2017. She was born Faylene Louise Currier on March 2, 1928 the sixth child of Eugene and Elizabeth (Roberts) Currier. Faylene graduated from Skowhegan High School, Class of 1946. On June 30, 1956 she married Donald L. Cleveland. Together they made their home in Skowhegan and enjoyed many years traveling coast to coast in their RV, camping, square dancing and making lifelong friends until Don’s passing in 1997. Faylene was employed as a NET&T telephone operator and as a waitress at Gene’s Restaurant and The Village Candle Light. Following her dream to become a nurse, she graduated from the Maine School of Practical Nursing in 1965 and worked at the office of Carleton E. Swett, MD. In 1975 she began working as the secretary to the principal at Skowhegan Area High School until her retirement in 1993. Faylene was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church and the Skowhegan Federated Church where she sang in the choirs. She was a former member of the Heart of Maine Squares, the Country Cousins, the New England Family Campers and the Good Sam Club. Faylene was an avid supporter of Skowhegan Area High School athletics, University of Maine ice hockey, the Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots. She detested house work and would much rather be, as Don would say, “ramming the roads.” She enjoyed music, knitting, eating out and making memories with her family and friends. Faylene is predeceased by her parents; husband; two brothers, Clarence Currier and Bernard Currier; and three sisters, Evelyn Currier, Doris Towle and Verna Singor. She is survived by her daughter, Jane Cleveland Bigelow and husband (special “son”) Jim Bigelow; grandson, Benjamin Watson; two great grandsons, Miles Watson and Eoin Watson; four nephews; one niece; and many, many dear friends. Family and friends are invited to visit from 4-6pm, Wednesday, January 3 at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Avenue, Skowhegan. A funeral service will be held at 10am, Thursday, January 4 at Skowhegan Federated Church with Rev. Mark K. Tanner officiating. Interment in the spring will be at Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan. Faylene’s family is indebted to the loving staff at Pinewood Terrace and Cedar Ridge Nursing Care Facility for the kindness and care shown to Faylene and her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skowhegan Area High School Faculty/Student Body Scholarship, c/o Guidance Department, 61 Academy Circle, Skowhegan, ME 04976