Colleen Arvilla (Manning) Wolfinbarger

Colleen Arvilla Wolfinbarger, age 72, of North Berwick, passed away peacefully, October 9, 2023 in Wentworth-Douglas Hospital after a courageous 7 ½ year battle with cancer with her family by her side.  She was a true warrior who fought until the very end.

She was born April 25, 1951 in Lawrence, MA, the daughter of Frank Manning and Arvilla Prescott, graduating from North Berwick High School in 1969.  Colleen served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1974.  In 1975, she had her only child, Michelle whom she adored.

Joining the work force in 1987, she worked for Dave Tuttle at Riverside Farms then earned her CNA license so she could care for the elderly at the Varney Nursing Home in North Berwick.  In 1997, she needed a change of pace so went to work for Walmart in Somersworth, NH where she was loved by so many and fondly referred to as “Grams”.

She cared for her grandchildren Autumn and Tyler until her daughter relocated up Maine, then would vacation several times a year in Fort Fairfield; Halloween being her favorite to spend time with the grandkids trick-or-treating.  Colleen took the grandkids home with her for a few weeks every year as well.  They would return home with a whole new wardrobe and all the school supplies they needed.  She adored them all and loved to spoil them.

Colleen attended Eliot Baptist Church.  She was baptized after accepting Jesus Christ as her Savior.

Colleen was predeceased by her parents, her soulmate of 44 years, Ken Newhall, brother Gary Manning and sister Sharon Emery.  She will be sorely missed by her daughter Michelle Manning and fiancé Randy Parady of Fort Fairfield, ME; 2 granddaughters, Autumn Parady of Presque Isle and Makenna Parady of Fort Fairfield, 2 grandsons, Scott Parady of Fort Fairfield, and Tyler Thibedau who moved in with Colleen to help care for her over the past 4 years; and great-grandson, Roman Voisine and expecting her first great-granddaughter, Raelynn Leigh Voisine in February.  She also leaves behind her 2 sisters, Cindy Wyman and husband Bill of North Berwick, Harlan and Kathy Clock of Sanford.

A special thanks to Pastor Joel, she loved you so much; to her weekly Bible study group, Tyler, Cindy, Sylvia, Ruth and Donna and the doctors and nurses at Wentworth Douglas and her numerous friends and family for helping her in this battle.

A time of visitation will be held Friday, October 13 from 10am to 12pm immediately followed by a funeral service at 12pm at the Johnson Funeral Home, 26 Market Street, North Berwick, ME.  Interment to follow in Hillside Cemetery with Military Honors. 

Arrangements are entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home where condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com

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