Carol Menges Saunders, 69, died peacefully with her children and family by her side on Friday, July 27.

Carol was born in 1943 in Foxborough, Mass., the daughter of Gordon and Alice Menges. She had two siblings, Marilynn and Roger, both of whom died in 2011. It was with her family that Carol's love of the ocean was born. Her parents found a cottage on Conomo Point in Essex, Mass. that would eventually become a gathering place for generations to come. During her childhood, Conomo Point would be where you could find Carol either sailing or water skiing with her brother Roger in Joe's Creek.

Upon graduation from the University of New Hampshire, Carol married her love Scott Saunders and moved to North Conway, N.H. They were very active in the community and shared many wonderful years enjoying the activities the Mount Washington Valley had to offer. Carol was a lunchtime hostess at the Scottish Lion and on weekends they loved to spend their afternoons on the Cross Country Ski Trails. In the summer they would travel down to the cottage at Conomo Point with their family. Days were spent on their boat, the Sandpiper, cruising the Annisquam River and visiting Crane's beach.

It was this love of boating and the ocean that brought them to the coast of Maine. After spending many summers cruising with the Downeast Yacht Club, they decided that the back river of Barter's Island, Maine would be a perfect spot to retire. They built their home and moved in during the Spring of 2001.

In October of 2001, Scott passed away unexpectedly at this home, but in the face of such devastation, Carol put a smile on her face and persevered. She found friends in a group of women on the Island, and found faith in the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. With the support of her friends and her faith, Carol built a wonderful life for herself in Boothbay. She loved to garden and brought this love to her work with the Boothbay Region Garden Club where she worked with the elderly at the Gregory Wing of St. Andrew's Village. She also often volunteered at the Church for various activities and events and was very active in the Barters Island community planning and participating in potluck suppers, ladies luncheons, and many special holiday celebrations. She sincerely loved people, and being part of social gatherings. During summers in Boothbay she worked as a hostess at Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant where she loved to greet both locals and vacationers and find them a spot to enjoy the ocean view.

People called her the “Energizer bunny” because she never slowed down, never stopped moving, and never stopped doing things. She maintained the same level of energy and determination in her fight against pancreatic cancer. She wouldn't let it beat her, or take away her life. She never lost her will or her spirit, and never lost the smile on her face. Despite her treatments and all that came with the disease, she continued to participate in all her activities, and even enjoyed a cruise to Panama in March. She was truly an inspiration to us all – to never lose your positive attitude or your smile.

Carol will be missed by many, many friends and family. Her legacy will live on in her three children, Chris Saunders, Gregg Saunders and Kate Biddle. She also leaves behind her daughters-in-law Katie Saunders, and Kate Ellen Saunders, and her son-in-law, Sam Biddle. And, she was well loved by her grandchildren Abby Saunders, Ryan Saunders, Ben Saunders, Will Saunders, Emma Biddle, and Sammy Biddle.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 4 at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. A reception with light refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Congregational Church PO Box 468 Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.