Emmett Martin O'Brien
June 3, 1934
November 18, 2003
PORTLAND - Emmett Martin O'Brien, CPA, 69, of Stevens Avenue, died unexpectedly Tuesday November 18, 2003.
He was born at the Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary in Portland on June 3, 1934, the son of Martin W. and Mary C. King O'Brien.
He attended parochial schools and graduated from Cheverus High School in 1952. He graduated from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. After his discharge he worked for Charles F. Rittenhouse Co. accounting firm in Boston. He then worked for Baker & Adam accounting firm in Portland from 1957 to 1963 until it merged with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell where he was office manager until his retirement in 1995.
He married Michaelene Amato on June 28, 1958.
Mr. O'Brien was a member of Kiwanis, St. Patrick's Parish Council, the Catherine McAuley School board, the Holy Innocents agency which he served as chairman. He was a former president of the Maine Society of CPA's and a member of the American Institute of CPA's.
Mr. O'Brien enjoyed spending summers at the family camp on Little Sebago Lake, traveling with his wife to Italy, Bermuda and spending time with his ten grandchildren. He was also an avid fan of the Boston professional sports teams.
He was predeceased by his parents, and a sister, Joan O'Brien McGovern.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years Michaelene A O'Brien of Portland; three daughters, Kathleen Ann Hilton and her husband Nicholas of Frederick MD., Paula Marie Kane and her husband David of Scarborough, Mary Ellen Lynch and her husband Michael of Norton, MA., one son Robert Emmett and his wife Christina of Saco. Ten grandchildren, Brittany, Ryan, and Brendan Kane of Scarborough, Nicholas and Gregory Hilton of Frederick MD., Alison, Connor, and Kristin Lynch of Norton, MA, Courtney and Sarah O'Brien of Saco; a brother John P. O'Brien and his wife Barbara of Portland and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be 4-8pm at the Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at 8:15 Friday at the South Portland Chapel, followed by a 9:00 am mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church. Interment
at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Ave, Portland, Maine, or charity of your choice.
Elizabeth V. Litrocapes
November 25, 1951
November 16, 2003
PORTLAND - Elizabeth V. Litrocapes, age 51, of Glenridge Drive, died Sunday, November 16 after a long illness.
She was born in Portland on November 25, 1951, a daughter of Richard F. and Camilla Jensen. She attended Portland schools and was a graduate of Deering High School, Class of 1970. Prior to her illness, she was employed by Regis Hair Salon.
Ms. Litrocapes loved sports. She was a fan of the Yankees and of the Boston College football team where her daughter is a student.
She had a strong faith which she continually practiced. She was a member of the Payson Park Evangelical Church.
She enjoyed spending time with her family.
Besides her mother of Portland, she is survived by one daughter, Katherine Litrocapes of Portland; one stepdaughter, Kristine Martinez of Dallas, TX; one sister, Joan Wogaman of Gorham; brother, Jack Jensen and his wife Debra of Belle Mead, NJ, and brother Paul Jensen and his wife Melissa of Falmouth; nieces and nephews, Brian Alley and his wife Kate of Saco; Kevin Alley and his fiancé Heather of Portland; Sarah, Jack, and Greg Jensen of Belle Mead, NJ; Nicole and Scott Jensen of Falmouth; and Andrea Wogaman of Gorham.
According to her brother Jack, she will be greatly missed by her family and friends who loved her.
Funeral services will be private.
Frances B. McCormack
December 8, 1923
November 15, 2003
PORTLAND - Frances B. McCormack, age 79, of Portland, died Saturday, November 15, 2003 at a Portland nursing home after a long illness.
She was born in Portland on December 8, 1923, a daughter of Nora and Michael Coyne. She graduated from Portland schools.
Mrs. McCormack worked for USF & G Insurance prior to her retirement.
She was a very devoted grandmother. She was very fond and close to her nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas A. Coyne, and Edward J. Coyne; one sister, Mary P. Jensen.
She is survived by her daughter, Margaret M. McCormack of Key West, FL; one brother, James M. Coyne of Earlton, NY; four grandchildren, Lucas, Hosannah, Isaiah, and Noah; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Oncology Department at Mercy Hospital and to the staff at St. Joseph's Manor.
If so desired, donations in Frances' memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, One Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, mE 04086.
Charlotte Beryl Corrigan
November 16, 2003
SCARBOROUGH - Charlotte Beryl Corrigan, age 77, of Chamberlain Road, died Sunday November 16, 2003 at a Portland nursing home.
Born in Caribou a daughter of Frank and Katherine Gahagan Thompson, she attended local schools and was a 1943 graduate of Caribou High School. She attended Gray’s Business College in Portland.
On April 3, 1948 she married James J. Corrigan at St. Dominic’s Church in Portland.
Mrs. Corrigan was employed with the telephone company in the accounting department. She retired in 1985 after 39 years of service with Nynex Telephone Company. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and had served as president of New England Accounting Workers.
Mrs. Corrigan was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. She also had served as Chairperson of Financial Commission & Parish Council.
She was predeceased by four brothers, Reginald, Perley, Franklin, Maurice Thompson and a sister Mary Thompson Hare.
Survivors include her husband James of 55 years of Scarborough, a sister Elizabeth “Betty” Dudley of Portland and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday Nov 18, 2003 at Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited 8:15 a.m. Wednesday at the South Portland Chapel followed by a 9:00a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
Beatrice Hutchinson
November 15, 2003
SOUTH PORTLAND - Beatrice Hutchinson, age 94,formerly of Cliff Ave. South Portland, died Saturday, November 15, at a Portland nursing home.
She was born in St. Theophile, Quebec, Canada a daughter of Elzeard and Alvin Marcoux Pomerleau. She moved to Jackman at age six where she attended Jackman schools and high school.
She married Harry Giroux in Jackman in 1939. He predeceased her in 1963.
She worked as a cook in the lumber camp as a young mother. She became a naturalized citizen in the 1940's. During WWII she worked as a welder in the South Portland Shipyard. In the 1950's she owned her own Beauty Salon on Munjoy Hill called Bea's Beauty Salon. In 1962, she began working at Songo Moc and worked for 12 years until she retired at age 65.
She was a communicant of Holy Cross Church.
She loved knitting, crocheting, sewing, fabric painting and cooking for her children and grandchildren and was famous for her raisin pie.
She married Bertram Hutchinson in Augusta who predeceased her in the mid 1980's. She is predeceased by a son Kenneth Giroux in 1999, a daughter Arlene Thistlewood in 1998, a brother, 4 sisters, and a grandson Joseph Smith in 1997.
She is survived by two daughters, Mabel Giroux and Mrs. Roland (Shirley) Berthiaume of South Portland, 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 6 step grandchildren and 7 step great grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, November 17 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, where prayers will be recited at 8:15 AM Tuesday, November 18. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, November 18 at 9:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 29 Aspen Ave., South Portland. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Beatrice's name to Beacon Hospice, 600 Roundwood Dr., Scarborough, ME. 04074
Eugenia Lemke Balicki
April 15, 1910
November 14, 2003
YARMOUTH - Eugenia Lemke Balicki, 93 of Yarmouth, Maine died on Friday, November 14, 2003 at home.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 15, 1910 a daughter of Basil Lemke and Mary Ann Landyczkowski. She graduated from Wayne State University in 1933 as one of the first woman pharmacists of her generation. In 1936, she married Eugene F. Balicki to whom she was married for nearly twenty five years until his death in 1960. Eugenia resumed work as a pharmacist at that time until her retirement in 1977.
She lived in the Detroit area for the first 81 years of her life and then moved to Yarmouth in 1991 to be close to her son and his family. After retirement, she became a world traveler and visited four different continents. She was also an avid golfer and in her later years enjoyed reading, cheering for the New England Patriots and spending time with her grandchildren.
Eugenia is predeceased by her three siblings: Basil Lemke, Irene Lemke, and Dorothy Stewart.
She is survived by two sons: James and his wife Mila of Flanders, New Jersey; and John of Brunswick, his wife Karen and her two grandchildren, Caitlin and Casey, whom she loved dearly.
Funeral services will be held at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland on Monday, November 17, at 2 PM. Interment
will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit, at a later date.
Kevin M. Gilbert
January 23, 1959
November 8, 2003
SOUTH PORTLAND - Kevin M. Gilbert, 44, of S. Portland, died in his sleep of a massive heart attack Saturday night Nov. 8, 2003.
Kevin was a devoted husband and father, dear friend, and trusted colleague.His love of life, family, friends, and nation dictated his priorities.With a ready smile and an open heart, Kevin can be remembered for his enthusiasm and energy.He brought his passion to everything he was involved in - from family, homelife, and work, to sports, his yard, and family Florida vacations.
Kevin was born in Rochester, NY, son of the late Harold E. Gilbert and Joan C. (Schlaefer) Gilbert.Kevin was educated in Rochester schools and graduated from Pittsford-Sutherland High School, Pittsford NY in 1977.He enlisted in the US Navy where he served as an Air Traffic Controller aboard the USS Eisenhower and subsequently at Brunswick NAS, ME.He continued to serve in the Naval Reserve component there until he retired in July 1999.Kevin was employed as a Mail Handler at The Portland Post Office from 1988 until present.
He is predeceased by his father and a sister, Ellen C. Gilbert Burnett.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 4 years, Maria E. (Pesce) Gilbert of S. Portland, daughter Meghan Elaine, age 2, and a daughter due to be born in February 2004.He is also survived by his mother, Joan S. Gilbert of Fairport, NY; a brother and his wife, Harold B. (Butch) and Mary Ana Gilbert, of Tampa, FL; parents-in-law Patricia E. and Randall R. Chasse, of Scarborough; brother-in-law, Anthony M. Pesce of South Portland.
There will be no public visiting hours. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, at 10:00 am in Williston-West Church at 32 Thomas Street, Portland.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be sent to:
Gilbert Children Education Fund
c/o Harold B. Gilbert, Trustee
8408 Granite Place
Tampa, FL 33615
Louise P. Brown
April 14, 1918
November 5, 2003
PORTLAND - Louise P. Brown, 85, of Cumberland Avenue, died Wednesday Nov. 5, 2003 at Cedars Nursing Care Center in Portland.
She was born in Portland on April 14, 1918, a daughter of Charles and Goldie Lewis Punsky. She attended local schools, and was a graduate of Portland High School.
Mrs. Brown was employed as a secretary for the A & P Company for many years. She retired in 1980 after 25 years of service.
She was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Mrs. Brown was a former communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
She was pre-deceased by a son John Brown who died in 2002.
Surviving are three daughters, Lorana Brown of Yarmouth, Kathleen Dufel and her husband David of Northbridge, MA, and Carol Wood and her husband Paul of Gorham; a son, Richard Brown and his wife Mary of St. Petersburg, FL; two sisters, Leona Alfiero and her husband Nicholas of Portland, and Shirley Punsky of Portland; ten grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be Monday Nov. 10, 2003 from 12 Noon - 1:00 PM at the Conroy Tully Funeral Home, 172 State Portland, where a service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, Inc., One Maine Street, Topsham, ME 04086.
George (Ray) LaVangie
April 10, 1916
October 9, 2003
SCARBOROUGH - George (Ray) LaVangie, 76, of 12 Haigis Parkway, died Sunday November 2, 2003 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland.
He was born February 18, 1927 a son of George M. and Alice G. Mazerall LaVangie. Mr. LaVangie was a graduate of Portland High School.
On August 21, 1946 he married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Mushrow.
Mr. LaVangie owned and operated his own home improvement business for many years. He enjoyed traveling, camping, woodworking, automotive repair, his collection of model cars, old movies, and he especially loved his family.
Mr. LaVangie served his country in the United States Navy during World War ll. in Tsingtao, China and Samara in the Philippines. He received the World War ll. Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal. Mr. LaVangie was a member of the American Legion.
He was predeceased by a son George Michael LaVangie in 1949, two sisters Mrs. Thomas ( Charlotte ) Leo in 1987 and Mrs. Carolyn Jean Lewis in 1994 and a son-in-law Clarence Bennett in 2002.
His wife of fifty-seven years Dorothy LaVangie survives him. Four daughters Mrs. Michael ( Dorothy ) MacDonald of Buxton, Donna Bennett of Portland, Mrs. Glen ( Sharon ) Williams of South Portland, and Mrs. Geraldine Reny also of South Portland. Two Brothers Edward LaVangie of Portland and Richard LaVangie of Fla., seven grandchildren Thomas Bennett, Jeannine Bennett, Sheryl Fossett, Michael MacDonald, Stacie MacDonald, Theresa Clark and Hannah Reny. Six great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM Wednesday November 5, 2003 at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited 9:15 AM Thursday at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, followed by a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St John the Evangelist Church 611 Main St. South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
Donations in Mr. LaVangie’s memory may be sent to the American Heart Fund- Maine Affiliate, 343 Gorham Road South Portland, Maine 04106.
John Patrick "Giant" Conroy
December 28, 1907
October 31, 2003
PORTLAND - John Patrick "Giant" Conroy, age 95, of Torrey St., Portland, died Friday, October 31 at his home after a brief illness.
He was born in Portland, a son of Patrick J. and Mary Devine Conroy. He attended Portland Schools and since his sophomore year at Portland High School, through his graduation from Hebron Academy and Fordham University, the name John Patrick "Giant" Conroy has been synonymous with true greatness both on and off the playing field.
His nickname "Giant" symbolizes the esteem in which he was held by team mate and adversary alike. Not in any one of his eight years of school boy and college competition in football, basketball, baseball, or track did John Conroy fail to win some special honors.
At Fordham University, under the coaching of the famous Major Frank Cavanaugh, he was the left end of the original, and legendary "seven blocks of granite," reknown as one of the greatest lines in all intercollegiate football history. Following his graduation from Fordham University, he spent one year as sub-master and teacher, as well as coach of basketball and baseball at Sherman High School, Sherman, Maine.
Until entering the U.S. Air Force on August 8, 1942, "Giant" Conroy, with the rank of Captain, continued his teaching, coaching, and counseling at Portland High School, until his retirement in June of 1973.
He was a communicant of St. Pius X Church.
During his forty years association with the academic and sports fields, John Patrick "Giant" Conroy was an exemplary leader. He earned a Master's degree from the University of Maine, Orono in 1952.
John was elected to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. He was elected to the Fordham University Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.
The John "Giant" Conroy Award, presented to a graduating senior each year from Portland High School who has been active in athletics, maintained a good academic average, and rendered service to Portland High School, was instituted by the faculty in John Conroy's honor upon his retirement from Portland High School where as a student, teacher, coach, and counselor he spent 43 years of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary McCann Conroy of Portland; one daughter, Anne E. Conroy of Portland, and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, November 3 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland, where prayers will be recited at 8:15 AM Tuesday, November 4. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, November 4 at 9:00 AM at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to PROP (People's Regional Opportunity Program) 510 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, Maine 04101.
Sally H. Mitchell
August 11, 1934
October 26, 2003
SOUTH PORTLAND – Sally H. Mitchell, 69, of 25 Channel Road, South Portland, died at her home on Sunday following a long illness with cancer.
She was born on August 11, 1934, in Concord, New Hampshire, one of three children of the late Leo and Ruth Bryant Heath. Following her education in New Hampshire schools, she worked in Concord as an assistant to then Governor Hugh Gregg, and then in Washington D.C. as an assistant to then Senator Styles Bridges.
She moved to South Portland in 1970 and has lived there since then. Sally was a communicant of Holy Cross Church and was active in church and numerous charitable causes.
She was predeceased by a brother, William B. Heath on December 25, 2002.
Survivors include her daughter, Andrea J. Mitchell, and grandson, Ian H. Mitchell, both of South Portland, and by her brother, Stephen Heath of York. Sally will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.
There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 29 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist, Aspen Ave., South Portland. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Mitchell Institute, 22 Monument Square, Suite 200, Portland, Maine 04101. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel, South Portland.
Aubrey Dartelle "Darty" Young, Jr.
December 7, 1930
October 26, 2003
SCARBOROUGH - Aubrey Dartelle "Darty" Young, Jr., 72, of 10 Juneberry Lane, passed away on Oct. 26, 2003 at Mercy Hospital in Portland after a long illness.
He was born on Dec. 7, 1930 in Tremont, the son of Aubrey D. Young, Sr. and Hilda E. Sylvia. He graduated from Calais High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Washington, D.C. It was there that he met and married his wife, Gloria, in 1951. After he was discharged in 1952, they moved to Maine.
He was employed as manager by Bearings Specialty Co. for many years, 10 of which his wife worked by his side. After leaving the bearing business, he bought a lobster boat and lobstered until ill health forced him to retire. These were some of his happiest years.
Darty loved to work on cars, and enjoyed fishing and hunting with his stepfather Glenn, but his true passion was Nascar racing. We always knew where he was on Sunday afternoons.
He loved his family very much and always by his side was his little dog Suzy. Even though disabled, he cared for Suzy and gave her an insulin shot every day followed by a treat, until she passed in April of this year.
He is survived by his wife Gloria, four daughters, Debra Durgin of Cornish, Donna Cleaves, Sandra Young, and Teresa Lamson, all of Scarborough; his brother William A. Young of South Portland; his step-mother Mary Grimaldi of South Portland; four half-brothers, Philip of Gray, Steven of Scarborough, Paul and Mark of South Portland; and a half-sister, Karen of Florida; five grandchildren, Dani, Jimmy, Jeff, Andy, and Josh; two great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be Tuesday Oct. 28, 2003 from 5-7 PM at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Private services for the family will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Refuge League, 449 Stroudwater St., Westbrook, ME 04092.
Mary Louise Martin
July 10, 1922
December 1, 2003
SOUTH PORTLAND - Mary Louise Martin, 81, formerly of Preble Street, died Monday Dec. 1, 2003 at Mercy Hospital in Portland.
She was born in South Portland on July 10, 1922, a daughter of Llewellyn A. and Annie DeCosta Johnson. She attended South Portland schools, and was a graduate of South Portland High School, class of 1940.
Prior to living on Preble Street, Mrs. Martin and her family lived for many years on Elmwood Street in Portland.
Mrs. Martin was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
She was pre-deceased in 1987 by her husband, Louis "Woody" Martin, a native Texan; a sister, Eileen Connolly, who died in 1999, and her twin brother, William "Shorty" Johnson, who died in 2003.
Surviving are two daughters, Patricia Martin Boulos of Boston, MA, and Mary Jo Martin of Barrington, NH; three sons, Jon P. Martin of Gray, Kevin P. Martin of Portland, and Jesse Martin of Petersburg, WV; a sister, Margaret Johnson of South Portland, and seven grandchildren, Lisa Boulos, Mark Boulos, Emily Martin, Isaac Martin, Stephina Martin, Annie Martin, and Philip Martin.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 6-9 P.M. at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State Street Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home Thursday at 10:15 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Church at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to Oprah's Angel Network, P.O. Box 96600, Chicago IL 60693.
Florence Elizabeth Dougherty
August 17, 1912
November 29, 2003
SOUTH PORTLAND - Florence Elizabeth Dougherty, age 91, of South Portland, died Saturday, November 29, 2003 at a Portland nursing home.
She was born in Portland on August 17, 1912, a daughter of Frank and Mary Gill Devine. She attended South Portland schools.
Mrs. Dougherty worked as an operator for New England Telephone Company and later at Porteous.
She was an avid bowler.
She was a communicant of Holy Cross Church and a member of the Visitation Sodality, and was a "Holy Roller" until recently.
Mrs. Dougherty was predeceased by her husband, John F. Dougherty Sr. on August 10, 1996; two daughters, Karen Dumond in 1985, Lorraine Shutts in 1993; two sisters, Eleanor Wescott, and Marie Reagan; one brother, Francis Devine; and one granddaughter, Betsy Thompson.
She is survived by two daughters, Janet Romano and her husband Alfred of Portland, and Rita Thompson of South Portland; one son, John F. Dougherty Jr. and his wife, Vivian of Portland; five sisters, Catherine Shaw of South Portland, Rita Preston of South Portland, Ruth Wright of Cumberland, Elizabeth Cormier of Cape Elizabeth, and Alice Bothel of Cape Elizabeth; 21 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held Monday, December 1 from 3-7 PM at Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, where prayers will be recited 8:15 am on Tuesday, December 2. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 am Tuesday, December 2 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Main Street, South Portland. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contribution's in Mrs. Dougherty's memory may be made to Seaside Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, 850 Baxter Boulevard, Portland, ME 04103, or to Holy Cross Church Renovation Fund, 29 Aspen Avenue, South Portland, ME 04106, or to a charity of one's choice.
Mary Bernadette Franics
June 27, 1912
November 24, 2003
PORTLAND - Mary Bernadette Francis, 91, of Bradley Street, died Monday Nov. 24, 2003 at Mercy Hospital in Portland.
She was born in Portland on June 27, 1912, a daughter of Edward and Desiree Roma. She attended Portland schools, and was a graduate of Portland High School. She also attended Gray’s Business College in Portland.
Baptized at Sacred Heart Church in Portland, she was one of the founding members of St. Patrick’s Church where she was a communicant. At St. Patrick’s she served on the Women’s Council.
Mrs. Francis enjoyed reading, cooking, and flowers. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Sebago Lake, Disneyland, and to Nova Scotia to visit family. Most of all, Mrs. Francis enjoyed spending time with her family.
She was pre-deceased by her husband of 48 years, P. Frederick Francis, who died Aug. 9, 1987.
Surviving is a daughter, Suzanne Norden of Freeport; two sons, Stephen F. Francis and his wife, Judy Francis, and David A. Francis, both of Portland; six grandchildren, Karen Poulin, Steven Norden, Cheryl Norden, Justine Norden, Steven C. Francis, and Theresa Osbourne; and two great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be Friday from 6-8 P.M. at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home Saturday at 10:15 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
Mary Teresa Corcoran
May 12, 1915
November 22, 2003
PORTLAND - Mary Teresa Corcoran, State Liquor Commission manager and social welfare activist died on November 22, 2003.
Miss Corcoran was born in Portland, Maine on May 12, 1915, a daughter of Patrick and Anne Browne Corcoran. She attended the Cathedral School, was graduated from St. Joseph's Academy, and Gray's Business College. She was the first woman in Maine to be appointed by the Maine State Liquor Commission, as a store manager. She worked for the Liquor Commission from 1935-1970, when she became disabled in an automobile accident.
She then developed a second career as a social welfare activist. She was the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen in Portland. Serving as an officer on their Board, she was committed to relieving hunger in Portland, and collected food donations from many Portland service clubs and restaurants to aid in this work. She also served on the Board of the Portland Widows' Wood Society and was a compassionate and tireless volunteer. She was a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party, Maine AFL-CIO, and socially progressive causes.
Miss Corcoran traveled extensively in Europe, Canada, and Latin America. She frequently visited her ancestral home in the west of Ireland. She enjoyed long- term friendships with her family and extended family throughout the country and made her last journey just three years ago.
She attended the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for 88 years, and contributed to the renovation of the Cathedral.
Her brother, John Francis Corcoran of Falmouth died in 2001. A sister, Julia A. Corcoran, with whom she lived all her life, survives her as do a sister-in-law, Jane Coughter Corcoran, a niece Christine Corcoran Cantwell of Portland, and nephew Peter Blaze Corcoran of Sanibel Island, Florida, a grand niece Hillary Cantwell, also of Portland, a grandnephew, Jonathan Cantwell of Washington D.C., and one great grandniece.
Visiting hours will be Friday from 2-4 P.M. at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State Street Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 A.M. Saturday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to The Preble Street Resource Center whose mission is to advocate for solutions to hunger and poverty.
Preble Street Resource Center
P.O. Box 1459
Portland, Maine 04104
