Carolyn Jean Folsom

Bangor, Maine - Carolyn Jean Folsom died peacefully at home on March 2, 2025, with her family by her side. Carolyn was born on October 17, 1935, the second child of Edmund Jr. and Flora Pinnette of Millinocket.

Carolyn grew up in Millinocket, nicknamed "Karkie." She graduated with the Stearns High School, class of 1953. On January 1, 1955, Carolyn married the love of her life, Clyde H. Folsom, Jr. They later celebrated 63 wedding anniversaries together. Carolyn was a member of the Maine-ly Doll Club and the Red Hatters. She served for a time as the vice president of the Bangor Art Society, in addition to being a long-term member. In the 1970s, Carolyn gave art lessons to children at her home studio on Grant St., in Bangor. In more recent years, she was proud to learn that those lessons helped inspire some of her students to pursue art-related careers, including one student who became a high school art teacher. For many years, Carolyn and Clyde displayed their own paintings at art shows throughout Maine. Each won multiple awards. Carolyn's artistic talents included oil, pastel and scratchboard paintings, upholstering, wood- carving, hand-creating dolls and doll clothing, and other crafts. She studied dollmaking for nine years in New Hampshire and participated in national dollmaking conferences along with fellow members of Maine-ly Dolls.

Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, Clyde Folsom; sister, Judith Pelletier; brother, Robert Pinnette; and her parents. Carolyn is survived by her sons, Edmund and his wife, Lauren, of Saco, James and his wife, Patti, of Sanford, and Douglass and his wife, Laurie, of Brewer. In addition, she leaves behind eight grandchildren, Jamie, Scott, Jacob, Shannon, Alison, Brianna, Brandon, and Brady; 15 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Carolyn was a 56-year member of the First Baptist Church, Bangor. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 56 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. John Hall officiating. A reception will be held immediately after the service. Committal services will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery, where Carolyn will be laid to rest next to Clyde.

Thank you to many special friends for lending their helping hands to Carolyn, particularly over the past several years: Gerry Bolduc, Robert and Meghan McDonald, Gary Smith, Fred Hartstone, Trish Sanders, Bob Staples, Mary Ellen Adams, Jackie Bussiere, Peggy Kaufman, Jane and Sam Ogilve, Robert and Dottie Frank, Mabelle Miller, and many others. Gifts in Carolyn's memory may be made to Birdsacre, P.O. Box 485, Ellsworth, ME 04604. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.