OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Carolyn Cheney Bishop LaChance, of Shady Lane in Old Orchard Beach, passed peacefully on to her heavenly reward, surrounded by her family, on Oct. 30, 2014 at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Carolyn was born on Dec. 27, 1932, at Maine General Hospital in Portland.

She was educated in South Portland and Richmond. She was salutatorian of her graduating class at Richmond High School. She attended Colby College.

Carolyn married Arthur Leo LaChance, her high school sweetheart, on June 12, 1954.

Carolyn was proud to live in Old Orchard Beach. She was very civic minded and enjoyed working the polls for each election. She loved to travel and always said, “A girl can go anywhere with panties and a passport in her pocketbook.” She had an open-door policy allowing many extended family members to live in her home throughout the years.

Carolyn became a Catholic as an adult and enjoyed teaching CCD.

Most of all Carolyn ”“ Mama, Grammy ”“ loved her family and friends deeply and unconditionally. Carolyn will always hold a special place in the hearts of the people she touched.

Carolyn was preceded in death by: her parents, Leonard Lee Bishop and Alma Cheney Bishop; as well as her siblings, Leonard Bishop Jr. and Leatrice Gallant.

She is survived by: her husband of 60 years, Arthur; and her seven children and their spouses, Linda and Paul McPherson of Hampden, George and Stacey LaChance of Buxton, Alma and Leonard Shevenell of Brunswick, Laura Bolduc of Old Orchard Beach, Leo LaChance, Larry and Bonnie LaChance and Thomas LaChance, all of Dayton.

Grammy loved her 21 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Old Orchard Beach Funeral Home, 36 Portland Ave., on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, between the hours of 6-8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 at 11 a.m., followed by a burial service at Bayview Cemetery in Bowdoinham at 2:30 p.m.