1940 – 2020
Putnam – Pauline (Ziemski) Fontaine, 79, of Woodside St., passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Day Kimball Hospital. Born in Dudley, MA, she was the daughter of the late John and Kathryn (Quigg) Ziemski, Sr.
Mrs. Fontaine worked as a teacher’s aide for 22 years at Thompson Day Care. She also worked as a prep-cook for Marianapolis Preparatory School. She was the co-founder of Mountaineer Family & Friends, country band. She sold Tupperware and donated her time to NECT Relay for Life as well as many other benefits and charities. She was the recipient of the N.E. Country Music Club Hall of Fame Award and previously served as their alternate trustee to their board. She was the youngest of eight children and was always known to be late for everything. She was known for the red lipstick she would leave on men’s foreheads as a sign of her love.
Pauline is survived by her daughters, Marion Appleton and her wife Christyna of Selkirk, NY, and Linda Fitzgerald of Putnam, CT; her sister, Mary Champagne of Putnam; her fiancé, Lucien Larue of Putnam; her chosen and “older” adopted sister, Lorraine Breton; eight grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands, the late Dana McKissick, George Caron, and Robert Fontaine; her son, the late Dana “Woody” McKissick; and her siblings, Margaret “Margie” Shaffer, Dorothy “Dot” Tremblay, Jane Ziemski, John Ziemski, Jr., Thomas Ziemski, Sr., and Edward Ziemski.
A public memorial service will be scheduled at a time when we can comfortably come together and celebrate Pauline’s kind, compassionate and unselfish spirit. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam, CT. Memorial donations may be made to the Relay for Life N.E.C.T. Team Angels in Heaven, c/o the American Cancer Society, 111 Founders Plaza, 2nd Floor Suite 200, E. Hartford, CT 06108. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
To view Pauline’s service please click on the link below.
Nancy Brosky
Life just doesn’t seem fair lately. Thinking of you all.
Gloria and Al lajeunesse
To my dear friend I will always hold a place in my heart four you !.My thoughts and prayers are with your children .
Love !
Gloria and Al
Nicole watson
I’m so so sorry I met Pauline when I went to the day care center many years ago . She was so nice and kindhearted . She was a big part of my father life/ friendship my heart just breaks for the family so sorry
Linda Charron
so sorry to hear of Pauline passing. She was a friend to all. You are all in my prays
Patricia ( Pammy ) Sargent
I’m so sorry for your loss she was so special to many we loved her and that Red Lipstick of her was awesome stamp of Love RIP Pauline ( Ma ) will miss seeing you
Brenda Caron
so very sorry for your loss my she rest in peace
Desirae Murphy
My family was lucky enough to be neighbors with Pauline in Putnam, and we enjoyed catching up with her while walking the dogs by her house. She was always a pleasure to see with a smile on her face. We’re so sorry for your family’s loss.
Deanna Shaffer Stroth
Marion and Linda…my dear cousins…though we haven’t seen each other in forever, I remember so fondly the days our families got together when we visited from Ohio. Your mom and dad were such dear people and always seemed so happy! I remember when all of us were on our way back to Grandma’s after a family picnic at Purgatory Park (????). We were following behind your car when, I think it was Linda, fell out of the car onto the side of the road!! Daddy, ever the wanna be doctor, picked gravel out of her skin and fixed her up as best he could. I am so very sorry to hear of Aunt Pauline’s sudden departure from this Earth, but I have confidence she is happily reuniting with her parents, Uncle Dana, your brother, Mother, and all her other siblings. Please know that we’re thinking of you all, and pray your memories and love will bring comfort in these hard times ahead.
Much love,
Deanna and Mike Stroth
Joe & Joy Paul
I am so sorry to the Tremblay Family and their relatives. Hold tight to the Memories to Comfort you, Lean on Family and Friends for Strength and to Soften your Sorrow. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all . May she Rest in Eternal Peace.
Noveline Beltram
Dear Marion and Family,
Pauline was always there at concerts, offering the Mountaineer bus, and showing talent and kindness not unlike her daughter and other family members. I will always remember her gentle ways and warm smile. My heartfelt sympathies to you all. Ms. Beltram
Diane cote
Sorry for Your loss rip Pauline love and miss you all wish I could be there for you
Maureen Demarais
I would like to offer my condolences to the family.I have so many fond memories and laughs that I shall cherish forever.! RIP my friend until we meet again!
Kathy beaudoin
My sincere condolences Marion and prayers for the family
Lorraine Breton
My heart is so heavy for so many reasons especially for all the family and friends who love her and the list is very longgggggggg love you / till we meet again
Susan Hudson
My condolences to the whole family and friends, rest in peace mom you will definitely be missed by many.
Rich Foux
Sorry for your lost she was a very wonderful lady
Debbie llttle
Woodstock lunch wont be the same without her. Heartbroken. Putnam either.
wickey and brian
we are so sorry to hear of pauline’s passing. she was a great woman, she loved everyone and showed it with her kindness and compassion. our hearts are with marion and linda. our deepest sympathy to the whole family.
Robert Beauregard
My deepest and sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. I worked with her at the daycare and she was a pleasure to work for she will be sadly missed
Carol Bennett
Gary and I are so very sorry for your loss .We absolutely loved her and she was a very special lady .She will be missed by all .
Leila Toussaint.
SO sorry for your Linda and Marion.
Jay and Darlene Rousseau
Jay and I are so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with ya’ll. Mom was a special family/friend who always made you smile. She meant so much to us, and to all the people who’s life she touched. She will always be in our hearts! This is very hard to take in, we have missed her and y’all for a long time now. Life goes on, but we never thought of Mom passing. The way she was, such a Beautiful energetic happy person that gave her love and so much for others. Mom will always be with us all in memory! We love ya’ll WE LOVE YOU MOM! REST IN PEACE! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
Dennis Martin Andeson
It is with a heavy heart that I send my condolences for the passing of a much loved lady ….
Pauline, you will remain in my thoughts and in my heart. Rest in peace … and save me that dance.
Karen Weir
Marion an Linda an all the grandkids I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a sweet lady she had a wonderful smile could always put one onto others she will be deeply missed.
Anna Casoni
Pauline was a sweet & kind Lady I met her when I brought my son to the Thompson Daycare. She always had a smile and a hug for the kids. May she rest in peace..
Estelle Royer
I want to offer my sincere sympathy to all who loved Pauline, especially Marion, Linda and Lucien. Her loss will leave a giant void in their hearts including mine. Always remember her spirit of love and caring. Do your best to share that love with everyone you meet. Pauline’s spirit will live on through you.
Dan Royer
Pauline was a friend to everyone. I want to offer you my condolence.
Linda Tremblay
Our deepest condolences go out to your wonderful family. She was a very special woman and will be greatly missed. Roger says “I remember Aunt Pauline chasing me around until she caught me and put butter on my nose on my Birthday and oh can’t forget the other times I would end up with red lipstick on my cheek. As a kid I got embarrassed but now these are some of the memories she left to me. I called her Mom 2 and loved her just much. I sure will miss her”. Love Allan and Linda
Rev. John White
Blessings and Deep Love to all Pauline’s family & friends in memory of this dear one who possessed the rare gift of creating smiles wherever she was with whomever she was with…a gift so appreciated always, and so lovingly remembered in times like these. Peace and Love, Pastor John
David LaChance
Dear Marion and family. I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She really brightened a room with her presence. I will miss seeing her smile and cheer. Hold on to the fond memories. David
Theresa St Laurent
So sorry for the loss of your Mom , she was a very special lady. She was my sister Lucille White’s best friend. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Betty Awalt
So sorry for the loss of Pauline, a kind woman that was always there to talk with you, The Woodstock Cafe won’t be the same without her…..May she rest in peace.
Kelly & Glen Curtis
Glen and I were so shocked to hear this news,Pauline was the sweetest woman we knew, we grew up with her being in our life, every time we saw her she always welcomed us with the warmest hug ever, she was a great friend to us and will be missed so much
She is playing in the BIGGEST BAND of all time now up in heaven with many many legends like herself ❤️ Rest easy sweet Pauline
Kelly & Glen
Renée Fitzgerald
My heart is heavy at the loss of such a wonderful person. She was a part of my life for nearly all my life and she was like a Mom to me. She was the strongest woman I had ever met whose light shined so brightly that it lit the way for others. My heart, love and deepest sympathy go out to my “sisters” Linda and Marion, Lucien, Mary and all the family and friends who share in the pain that comes with this loss. May your memories comfort you at this difficult time. We all have a role and purpose in life. While in your role Pauline, you brought and restored beauty, love, laughter and light to mine. When your role ended, with tears in my eyes and pain in my heart I once again asked why someone so vibrant, beautiful and young would be called home so soon. Shortly after through the tears a smile appears and a small laugh escapes my lips, because I hear you answer with a smile on yours “It’s in the script”. I was blessed to have you in my life. You will always be greatly loved, fondly remembered and deeply missed. Love, your “adopted” daughter, Renée