PORTLAND — Patricia R. Solotaire, 79, died Feb. 28 in Portland.

Born in New York City on June 20, 1931, a daughter of Kenneth and Charlotte (Brown) Rose, she grew up in New York City and vacationed in Maine, where she permanently relocated in the 1960s.

After graduating from Bard College, she earned a master’s degree in English from New York University.

Over the years she served as director of the Allagash Institute at the University of Southern Maine; worked at Veritas Associates with her partner, Robert Doucette; was a writer; and worked as a real estate broker in the greater Portland area for many years.

Above all she loved being a mother to her three children and grandmother to her five grandchildren.

In her spare time she enjoyed agility training and competitions with her dogs and competed in events around New England.

A sister, Brownie Shain, predeceased her.

Surviving are her three children, Lynn Kemna of Cumberland, Matt Solotaire of Portland and Benjamin Solotaire of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a sister, Susan Rose of Florida; and five grandchildren, Alex and Christopher Kemna of Cumberland, Michael Kemna of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Anya and Matthew Solotaire, both of Chicago; and her life partner, Robert Doucette of Portland.

A memorial service will be held at a later date this spring.  

Memorial donations can be made to the Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick, ME 04011.

Arrangements are by Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick.  

Condolences can be expressed at brackettfuneralhome.com.

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