HOLLIS – Members of the Century Tire Co. community are mourning the loss of Judi Carr, a well-liked receptionist, who worked at the business for 25 years.

Ms. Carr died on Feb. 8 from complications of scoliosis, an abnormal curving of the spine. She was 62.

Ms. Carr, who worked at the Kennebec Street facility in Portland, was the first point of contact for customers.

She was remembered by customers and co-workers this week as a dedicated and hard-working employee, who offered exceptional customer care. She was also a magnet for its customer’s dogs, who sat by her desk for treats.

“Judi was extremely loyal and dedicated to Century Tire Co.,” said its President Dick Aronson.

“She had a special friendliness with all our associates. In the 25 years we worked together, I never heard her say a derogatory word about anyone.”

This week, workers at Century Tire are feeling Carr’s loss. Aronson said many of his employees have worked together for the past 20 to 30 years.

“Her desk is just outside my office,” he said. “Every time I walk by it, I want to stop and say hi to Judi. She was a fixture here. She was part of our family.”

Ms. Carr grew up in Westbrook and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1969. She never married and had no children.

Ms. Carr suffered with scoliosis, a condition causing the spine to curve abnormally. Her cousin Linda Neptune of Gorham said the condition didn’t stop her from living her life. She enjoyed working, photography and spending time with friends and family.

“We were very close,” Neptune said. “She was always at dance recitals for my children. She was always at my house. I watched over her and tried to help her as much as I could.”

Ms. Carr, of Hollis, had a passion for dancing. In recent years, she danced on Saturday nights at the American Legion in Westbrook. Her cousin said she enjoyed socializing.

“She was always laughing and having fun,” Neptune said. “She always had a good outlook on things.”

In recent years, Carr’s condition had taken its physical toll. On Feb. 1, she had difficulty breathing and was taken to Maine Medical Center. She died a week later.

“I’ll miss having her around,” Neptune said. “I’ll miss listening to her laugh. She used to come into my salon and get her hair done. It was nice to see her. People liked her. She will be missed by a lot of people.”

Ms. Carr’s memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Stroudwater Baptist Church, 1729 Congress St. in Portland.

 

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com