TOPSHAM — M. Pauline Emerson, 88, formerly of Middlesex Road, died Dec. 7, surrounded by her family at Horizon’s Living and Rehab Center in Brunswick.

She was born July 15, 1927, in Eastport, the daughter of Clinton and Ada Capen Milliken.

Emerson attended Eastport Schools and moved to Bath with her family when she was 12, graduating from Morse High School in 1945. She helped her mother and father in their taxi business and became a telephone operator in Bath. While working as an operator, Emerson became a regular presence for many of her favorites, including several famous actors who filmed the musical “Carousel” in Maine.

She married Elden Emerson on Oct. 9, 1949, and the couple then moved to Topsham.

She loved her big family and, as a nurturing person, always thought of others before herself. When her sons were in high school, the house was always full of boys for whom she loved to cook. It mirrored Emerson’s life as a teenager, when there was a houseful of her brothers and their friends.

Emerson enjoyed watching TV, including game shows, soap operas, old movies and the Red Sox. She liked doing crossword puzzles, bird watching, her dogs and cats, and bicycle riding into her 70s with her friend Cookie.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by four brothers, Benjamin, Robert, Charles and William Milliken.

She is survived by two sons, Christopher Emerson, of Yarmouth, and Gregory Emerson, of Topsham; three grandchildren, Brittany, Chloe, and Thomas; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Horizon’s for the compassionate care they gave.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick. Burial will follow at Roger’s Cemetery in Topsham.

Donations in Emerson’s memory may be made to the Coastal Humane Society, 190 Pleasant St., Brunswick.