Carroll Barbara Ryan Pallian, 96, gifted artist, poet and Mother of five.

Carroll Barbara Ryan Pallian, 96 years, a resident of Biddeford, died peacefully at her residence on August 16, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Carroll was born in Dover, New Hampshire on August 23rd, 1920. Her father was a published writer and her mother was a Red Cross nurse and served in France during WW1. She graduated from West Harford High School in CT and then attended Pratt Institute and Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts where she studied Illustration and watercolor painting. During her school vacations she worked at the Mt Washington Hotel in New Hampshire. Carroll was an accomplished watercolorist as well as a poet, writing many poems including a collection of children’s poems that she published in a small book titled
‘ from the star-sown sky.’

In 1945 she married David Leonard Pallian and after their early years of marriage made Westford, Mass their home where they raised their five children. Carroll was an active member of the community including being a member of the First Parish Church United where she sang in the choir as well as being an organizer of many church fairs and dinners. In the early 70’s she and her husband founded the Strawberry Festival that continues to be a major yearly town event. She was a long-term member and President of the Westford Garden Club. Her historic house at 7 Graniteville Road was on many house tours showing off her extensive gardens including her sunken rose garden. Carroll was also a member of the Audubon Society and an avid birder. Although a full time and devoted Mother of five she continued to paint watercolors, particularly landscapes across New England and entered her work in many shows. When she traveled she enjoyed making painting and drawings in a small sketchbook. Following her husband’s retirement, they embarked on a new career with their children opening an award -winning restaurant. Carroll was the head baker making everything from scratch.

Carroll was a kind, gentle, and compassionate person with a warm and giving heart. She truly loved so many things – painting, poetry, books, art, scrabble, crossword puzzles, gardening, the natural earth, birds and animals. Her particular affinity was for dogs, especially boxers. She supported countless animals rescue leagues and charities.

In 2001, after her husband passed, she relocated to Biddeford Pool, Maine to be near her daughter Cynthia and the ocean. She lived with her last four- legged companion, a West Highland Terrier named Scotty that she rescued, but often told everyone that he rescued her.

She is survived by her five children; Cynthia Carroll Pallian and her partner Jack Laverty of Biddeford ME, David Winslow Pallian, his wife Lorien Corbeletti and their children Ethan and Aidan of Dunstable MA, Philip Bertram Pallian of Westford MA, Barbara Pallian Peacock, her husband Tom Peacock of Portland ME, their children Landon Pallian of Cambridge, Cameron and Connor of Lowell, and Jeffery Arnold Pallian of Biddeford ME, his children Logan and Keegan of Austin, Texas, two nieces Patty Ann Stern of Chicago, and Joanne Engelke Dunn of New Jersey.

A memorial service will be held at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street Kennebunk, ME at a date in September TBD.

Donations can be made to The Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Carroll’s Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.