Joanne Carpenter
HOULTON, Maine — After 20 years of serving Aroostook County as the Register of Probate, Joanne Carpenter of Houlton is finally taking a well-deserved break.
An elected position, Carpenter said she was extremely grateful to the citizens of Aroostook County who voted her into office five times. Her final day on the job was Tuesday.
By definition, the Register of Probate is “the keeper of the records,” Carpenter said. “What we do is document everything that comes in. We handle estates, guardianships, name changes, adoptions, trusts and occasionally marriage certificates if it involves a minor.”
Carpenter got started in county administration by happenstance.
“I was a hair dresser by trade,” she said. “I went to hair dressing school to make money to afford college. And then, I was alone with two young sons and went to work at a law office in Bangor, while continuing to do hair part-time.”
Carpenter said she actually tried to discourage the lawyers in Bangor from hiring her because she did not feel she was qualified.
“I had a friend and her husband was an attorney,” she explained. “He was looking for a secretary and my friend encouraged me to apply. I didn’t think I had the qualifications, but I applied and they hired me.”
Thus began a long and fruitful career associated with the legal system for Carpenter.
She married her high school sweetheart, Michael Carpenter, 17 years after they graduated from high school. The two had gone their separate ways after high school, but reconnected in church and rekindled their love for one another.
Her husband Michael is an attorney and former Maine politician and attorney general, a post he held until 1995.
Joanne worked in her husband’s law office for a short time, but decided it was not in the best interests of their marriage to continue doing so. She decided to first run for register of probate for Aroostook County in 1994 as a Democratic candidate and beat incumbent Jim Briggs for the position.
“Jim was a dear, sweet man and he was very helpful in getting me started,” she said. “Even during the election, he was wonderful.”
Completing paperwork on adoptions are the bright moments in her workday.
“Adoptions are the light of our courtroom,” she said. “There is not much happy time in this office, but those moments are.”
Carpenter said she would miss the interaction with the court officials and her office staff, but felt the time was right for her to step away. Darlene Guy, who has served as her assistant for several years, was elected in November to succeed her. She will be sworn into office in January.
So what does the future hold for her?
“That’s a good question,” she said.
Carpenter was studying history, with a minor in theatre during her time in college. She said she would like to finish her degree and would very much enjoy getting involved in stage productions in a behind-the-scenes role as a set or costume designer.
“I really would love to explore my artistic side a bit more,” she said.
