Ivalea Pulkkinen

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Ivalea Pulkkinen

NORWAY — Ivalea Pulkkinen, Maine native and longtime resident of Norway, slipped away peacefully, while listening to Ray Charles, on June 20, 2012 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. She was 84.

She was born in Norway on April 25, 1928 to Lila Bryant and Robert Hunt. At 18, she left her job at Barjo’s Restaurant and moved to New York City, where she worked as a model for several years. The grace acquired on the runway became her trademark. She later returned to Maine, married Herbert Pulkkinen, and raised her three children. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, as well as a community volunteer, who worked tirelessly in her gardens and enjoyed the Maine outdoors. She was also passionate about music and spent hours at the piano.

Mrs. Pulkkinen is survived by her children, Robert Del Cuore, Cindy Pulkkinen and Lisa Hale; five grandchildren, Tobin and Collin Del Cuore and Lyla, Annee and Dylan Hale; one great-grandchild, Fen Del Cuore and her brother, Dale Taker. She was predeceased by her sister, Roberta Doughty and brothers, Dwain Taker, Bruce Taker and Peter Parsons.

Per her request, there will be no services.