Carolyn M. Anderson, 78 PORTLAND -- Carolyn M. Anderson, 78, a beloved mother and wife, went peacefully home to God on April 29, 2010, at the Gosnell Hospice hospital after a three year battle with lung cancer. A wonderful goodbye allows for a wonderful beginning. Carol was surrounded by the love of her children and best friend and cousin, Mary Pellegrino. Daughter of Arthur Maslen and Helen Maslen Hart, Carolyn attended Portland High School and pursued a business career with Burnham and Morrell until she dedicated her life to raising her family. An avid reader, knitter, card shark, and yard sale aficionado, Carol was the 'heartbeat of the halls' to her dear friends at Northfield Green with whom she cherished sitting out in the sun, chatting about her children and grandchildren, and planning excursions to beano games and casino trips. Family gatherings found Carol in the center of any and all activities, from baseball diamonds to dance recital stages, whether it was her own children or finally her grandchildren, Carol was often on the road to support and encourage our every endeavor. She loved country music, playing cards late into the evening with neighbors, lobster rolls at The Lobster Shack, a beloved peki-beagle, Sammy, and she was ever ready to participate in a Foxwoods bus trip with Ray and her 'sorority sisters' at Northfield Green. A late night trip to return her son to Maine Maritime or her eldest daughter to UMO often found Carol and her long time neighbor and traveling buddy Rita once more on the roadÉ Accomplishments besides loving her children and being an interested mother in her children's lives include a five year Foster Grandparent Volunteer position with PROP and serving as secretary to the Northfield Green Council for 10 years. Most of all, Carolyn loved the ease and summer living at Sebago Lake with grandchildren swimming in cool, blue waters while her own children barbecued and joked and shared their lives, their passions and their love. Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, John R. Anderson Sr. in 1978; and her brother, Arthur Maslen of Largo, Fla. She is survived by her children and their spouses, daughter Mrs. (Robert) Heidi Kasle of No. Reading, Mass., son Mr. John R. (Jamie) Anderson Jr. of Minot, daughter Mrs. (Matthew) Candace Anderson-Ek of Portland, daughter Mrs. (John) Holly Richio of Portland, and daughter Mrs. (William) Susan Fyler of Porter. She is further survived by her grandchildren, John R. Anderson III, Benjamin Blais and Jack Anderson, Samantha, Mackenzie and Delaney Kasle, Dante and Lucas Richio, and Dylan and BJ Fyler. Additionally, she is survived by a niece and two nephews in Florida, Mitzi Maslen Valentine, Michael Maslen and Arthur (Jackie) Maslen III. Visiting hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 3, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, where a funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Burial to follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Gosnell Memorial Hospice House 180 U.S. Route One Scarborough, Maine 04074 or to the American Lung Association 122 State St. Augusta, Maine 04330 Carolyn M. Anderson