Arolyn Jean Dow Antognoni, 81, of Jefferson, died peacefully June 5 surrounded by her family and the beautiful sunset of Clary Lake.
Born April 8, 1931 to Robert and Mildred Dow of Augusta, she graduated from Cony High School in 1949, attended two years at the University of Maine Farmington, and graduated from Furman University, Greenville, S.C. in 1953. She taught home economics for two years in Greenville, S.C. at San Souci Junior High and returned to Augusta in 1955 where she took a position with CMP as a home service advisor. Arolyn and Bob met in 1956 in Dexter, through their love of music and dancing, and married June 22, 1957, sharing 55 years of marriage. Arolyn devoted her life to making a home for her five children and loving husband. The home she created on Clary Lake reflects her love and affection, enjoyment and compassion which she shared with her large and cherished community of family and friends.
Arolyn had a love for music and with her beautiful soprano voice sang with the CMP Lamplighters chorus, the Bank of Maine Bicentennial Singers, the First Baptist Church of Jefferson choir, and the St. Denis Church senior choir. She was a member of both Jefferson and Whitefield historical societies, a board member of the Clary Lake Association, a Clary Lake loon count volunteer for the Maine Audubon Society, a member of the Highland Cemetery Association, a member of the Cony High Alumni Association, a sister of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, a sewing instructor for Augusta Adult Education, and a longtime apple pie judge at the Windsor Fair. She looked forward to her Wednesday night knitters group where she created many treasured memories with her dearest friends.
She was predeceased by her son, Mark Antognoni; and grandson, Anthony Massey.
She leaves behind her husband, Bob; her children and their families, Jean and George Phelps of Gardiner, Mary Antognoni Hornecker of Jefferson, and Todd Hornecker of Weatherford, Tex., Robert S. and Donna Antognoni of Randolph, and Andrea and Sean McGowan of Denver, Col.; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Joshua Massey and wife Sarah of Richmond and their daughter Sophia Arolyn, William and Michael Phelps of Gardiner, Brett Hornecker of Weatherford, Tex. and Jared Hornecker of Jefferson, Seth Antognoni and wife Meagan and their daughter Riley Noelle of Biddeford, Kaylee and Robert E. Antognoni of Randolph, Theo Brown of Vinalhaven, and Eamonn McGowan of Denver, Col.; sister, Roberta Giampetruzzi of Portland; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Tues., June 12 at Staples Funeral Home, Gardiner. Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m., Wed., June 13 at St. Denis Church, Whitefield.
Donations in her memory may be made to HealthReach Hospice, PO Box 825, Waterville, ME 04903; the Jefferson Historical Society, PO Box 302, Jefferson, ME 04348; or the Whitefield Historical Society, PO Box 176, Whitefield, ME 04353.
