Obituary: Pauline M. Baker
Maine Woman Pauline M. Baker, 94, Dies After Long Life of Service and Love
Portland, Maine — Pauline M. Baker, a long‑time resident of Dexter and a devoted daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, died on August 13, 2026, at Woodlands Senior Living in the Portland area. The 94‑year‑old was survived by two sons, four grandchildren, four great‑grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and many beloved pets.
Baker was born on December 20, 1931, to Harold E. Hudson and Louise E. Cox Hudson in the small town of Dexter. In the 1940s the family moved to Portland, where young Pauline attended school before entering the workforce. She held several jobs over the years, eventually finding a position she enjoyed as a telephone operator in a doctor’s office, a role that kept her connected to her community for decades.
In 1953 she married John R. Baker Jr., and the couple raised two sons, Glenn A. Baker and John R. Baker III. The Baker family expanded with the arrival of four grandchildren—Cory, Nick, Sean Baker, and Jamie Raftice—followed by four great‑grandchildren whose names the family prefers to keep private.
Baker’s love for animals was well known; she was a “nana” to many cats and dogs that roamed her home, and she especially cherished a neighborhood cat named Raymond. When her memory began to decline in her later years, neighbors Janet, Brenda, Ralph, and Denise stepped in to watch over her. The staff at Woodlands Senior Living provided attentive care throughout her residency, and her daughter‑in‑law, Kristen of Compassus, regularly checked in after visits to report how Pauline was doing.
A final tribute came from Judith E. Clough, Pauline’s last surviving sister. “I visited Pauline every week,” Judith recalled, “and we would go out for rides and ice cream. I will miss you, Polly, and remember, ‘I’ll see you later, alligator, in a while crocodile, not too soon, baboon.’”
Baker’s life was cut short by illness, and she was predeceased by her parents, her sister Maxine Baker, and her brother Harold E. Hudson Jr. In a selfless gesture, she donated her body to the University of New England, where her remains will be interred. The university’s medical school will use her donation for research and education, honoring her commitment to the advancement of knowledge.
The Baker family, the Hudsons, and the community of Portland will remember Pauline for her warm presence, her dedication to her family, and her quiet but steady generosity. Her passing leaves a legacy that will live on in the memories of her children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the countless pets she cared for throughout her life.
