Carleen S. Morton

SOUTH PARIS – Carleen S. Morton, a long-time resident of South Paris, peacefully passed away, on June 13, 2023, at her Highland Avenue home in South Paris. She was 87 years old.

Carleen was the firstborn and daughter of Herbert and Merlie Stone and was born at Dr. Hubbard’s house in Waterford, on Feb. 21, 1936. She lived in Lovell, before moving with her family to South Paris at the age of 7 where she would first meet her future husband, Hank Morton.

At the age of 9, during her 5th grade year of school, Carleen was diagnosed with rheumatic fever, leading to a prolonged illness where she would be bed ridden and homeschooled. She returned to school her freshman year of high school after learning to walk again. During this troubled time of her early life, she experienced the kindness and supportive care from community members through the First Congregational Church, who visited her and offered any assistance the family needed. That concern and kindness impacted Carleen deeply and would crystalize her devoted drive for charitable efforts to the Community throughout her remaining years.

Following high school, she would first attend the Gorham State Teachers College and then transfer to and graduate from the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in education.

She married Hank on June 15, 1957, shortly after graduating from college. Carleen and Hank started their life together first in New Brunswick, New Jersey and then in El Paso, Texas, and Pittsburgh, Pa., where Hank served in the U.S. Army, before following their desires to return to their beloved hometown of South Paris to be a part of their cherished community where they would re-establish roots and raise a family of five Morton children: Pamela Jean, Robert Decoster, John Royal, Theodore Whitman, and Henry Thomas.

On returning to Maine, Carleen, Hank and growing family first lived in Norway before moving to Highland Avenue, South Paris. Carleen taught English at Oxford High School in the village of Oxford, before the creation of the Oxford Hills School District.

Carleen was passionate about community service and was an active community volunteer for over 65 years. Her most notable community volunteerism was through being an active long-time member of the First Congregational Church of South Paris, where she served as a committed member for nearly 60 years. Through that time, Carleen orchestrated many charitable activities that supported the church and Community and served on many boards for the church, taught Sunday School, and was treasurer of the Ladies Circle. Concurrently, she also volunteered as the treasurer for the Paris Historical Society for many years preserving town records and archives for her cherished town, as well as carrying out the duties of a Cub Scout den mother for 17 years teaching young boys the values of scouting and community service.

Carleen was also well-known as an avid sports fan. While she enjoyed attending and watching Red Sox and Patriots games with her family, however her greatest enthusiasm was for local youth and school sports, often traveling around the state of Maine, where she would be frequently seen in the stands cheering on her children and grandchildren. Carleen thoroughly enjoyed watching her family compete, playing football, cross-country, basketball, field hockey, track and field, baseball, and softball. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren, making every effort to be present for all their competitions and accomplishments. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren lovingly referred to her as “Grammie” and loved seeing her in the stands, cheering them on regardless of the venue location or weather.

As time passed and her children started their grownup journeys, Carleen turned her attention to real estate, acquiring several houses in South Paris to remodel and build a property rental business, which she managed herself for more than 30 years. Carleen was particularly adept at seeing the opportunity to improve the functionality of a property and renovating the property.

In later years Carleen and Hank would spend increasing more winter time in Anna Maria, Fla. where they acquired a beach house. Carleen again saw the diamond in the rough and quickly renovated the house to create a beautiful property that the family has thoroughly enjoyed for many years visiting Carleen and Hank.

Throughout their marriage, Carleen and Hank engaged in many business ventures for which she was a driving force and counsel, making them both well-known as upstanding and honorable contributors to the Community.

Carleen was predeceased by her parents; and brother; Elwood Stone.

She is survived by husband, Henry R. Morton; daughter Pamela West and husband James, son, Robert Morton and wife Jennifer, son, John Morton and wife Susan, son, Ted Morton and wife Judy, son, Tom Morton and wife Amy; sister Judy Stone, sister Donna Woodward and husband Roger; and proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandsons.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 17 East Main St., South Paris. Family and friends may attend a time of visitation on Friday, July 28, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the

First Congregational Church,

17 East Main St.,

South Paris, ME 04281