Dawn was born in Fairfield on July 22, 1927, the daughter of James C. and Dorothy V. (Fernald) McClellan, Sr. She grew up in Wells and graduated from Wells High School. Following her graduation, Dawn went into the nursing program at the Maine General Hospital in Portland.
Dawn married the love of her life on October 29, 1946, John C. Pride, Sr., and they made their home on Blueberry Hill Road in Alfred. Together, they had five children and Dawn became a devoted homemaker and housewife. Dawn was an active member of the Eastern Star and served as worthy matron of the Alfred chapter. She was also a valued board member when the Massabesic High School was being built.
In 1959, Dawn had the great distinction of becoming the first woman to serve as a selectman in the State of Maine and her beloved hometown of Alfred, where she served for nine years. Dawn was so proud and honored when she was chosen to be the grand marshall of the annual Alfred parade.
Dawn will be dearly missed by her children, friends and neighbors. She is once again reunited with her soulmate, John, who predeceased her following 50 wonderful years of marriage, and her infant daughter, Gail Dawn.
She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Carlene Blodgett; her twin daughters, Suzanne Pride and Suzette Gagne; and her son, John C. Pride, Jr. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, to whom she was known as “Grammy Pride”; her special sister, Leona Haseltine; two nieces, Susan Hazeltine and Linda McClellan; and two nephews, Frank T. Hazeltine and Robert McClellan.
A celebration of Dawn’s long and active life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at Dawn’s church, Curtis Lake Church, 38 Westview Drive in Sanford. Committal prayers and burial will be later in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Alfred.
To leave a message of condolence and to read a complete obituary, please visit www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com
The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.
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