Choate, Olive, 87, Caribou, in Caribou, August 9, 2008. Friends may call 3-5 and 6-8 p.m., August 13, at the Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday at the Caribou United Baptist Church. Arrangements are in the care of the Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home, Caribou.
CARIBOU – Olive Choate, 87, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, August 9, 2008, at a Caribou hospital. She was born June 17, 1921 the daughter of Arthur and Hazel (Randall) Buzzell. Olive graduated from Caribou High School in 1939 and from Aroostook State Normal School in 1942. In 1943 she married Joseph Frederick Choate. Olive had a varied teaching career teaching school one year in Limestone and working in the office of a war plant named American Bosch Corporation in Springfield, Massachusetts. She also worked for Sears & Roebuck in Caribou, Boston, and Fort Fairfield, and also as a social worker for the State of Maine for four years. In 1955 she became the first woman claims representative in the Presque Isle Social Security Office. Later she became field representative there, the first woman in the State of Maine to be appointed to that position. In 1968 she received the Social Security Commissioner’s Citation for her work and training new employees. When she retired in 1986 she was assistant manager of the office. Olive had been a member of the Caribou United Baptist Church since the age of eleven. She has served as a Sunday School teacher to both children and adults, and worked in Daily Vacation Bible School. She was elected a Deacon for several terms and while in that position served as chair of the Christian Education Committee, Worship Committee, Mission Committee at various times and was appointed honorary deacon for life. She was also chair of the Church Publicity Committee for several years. She has been president of the Mission Society and belongs to the Beulah Burgess Mission Circle. Olive held various positions at the county and state level of the American Baptist Churches of Maine. She also enjoyed her times working at Baptist Park in Mapleton. Olive has been an active member of the Retired Senior Volunteer program, a member of the Aroostook Area on Aging, and legislative officer for the local chapter of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees.
In addition to her parents Olive was predeceased by her husband Joseph, her son Jonathan and his wife Chun Hwa (Jung) Choate. She is survived by her sister Arthalene Gordey, her husband Daniel and their son John-Yong of San Antonio, TX, a double cousin Rev. Harry Randall his wife Glenna and their family of York, ME, a cousin Ronald Buzzell, his wife Dorothy and their family of Caribou, many other special cousins, nieces and nephews and her church family at the Caribou United Baptist Church.
Friends may call 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at the Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St. Caribou, ME. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday at the Caribou United Baptist Church with the Revs. John Kiehn and Joshua Burden officiating. Interment will take place following the service at Evergreen Cemetery in Caribou. In lieu of flowers those who wish may make donations in Olive’s memory to the Buzzell / Choate Scholarship fund in care of the Caribou United Baptist Church 74 High St. Caribou, ME 04736. Friends may express their condolences to the family at www.lancastermorgan.com.
