Frances H. Benjamin
November 15, 2003
BRIDGTON - Frances H. Benjamin, age 93, of Bridgton, Maine passed away peacefully on November 15, 2003 in the Seaside Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Portland, Maine.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa and raised in Ocean City, NJ, Frances was a long time resident of Bridgton, Maine.
She was the beloved wife of the late David Benjamin.
She is survived by brothers David Hart, Yardley, Pa & Alexander (Lex) Hart. Niece Judy Haines and her husband John, Langhorne, Pa and several great nieces & nephew. She will be sadly missed by all who knew & loved her.
In her leisure time, Frances enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, reading, friends & painting local landscapes.
Friends are invited to attend a graveside service on November 24 th at 1 PM in the Forest Hills Cemetery Annex in Bridgton. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.
Avangeline M. Wade
February 10, 1938
February 8, 2004
SACO -Avangeline M. Wade, 65, of Saco died Sunday, February 8, 2004 at 42 Storer Street, Saco, Maine.
She was born February 10, 1938 in Wellington, Maine to Elden and Pauline M. (Stewart) Scribner. She was a graduate of Deering High School.
Mrs. Wade had worked for Woolworth’s in Portland, Hannaford’s, and for York Manor.
Avangeline liked to crochet, playing with her grandchildren, watching mysteries on television, and liked window shopping.
She was predeceased by her husband Lance T. Wade on March 5, 1985.
Survivors include a long time companion John Gardner of Saco, a Step-Father William Files of Windham, a daughter Joi MacDonald and her husband Todd of Saco, two sons Dana Wade and his wife Cristy of Bidderford, and Lance Wade ll of Saco, a sister Anita Davis of Buxton, a brother Everett Brown of Little Rock, Arkansas, eight grandchildren, Lance lll, Jessica, Curtis, Cody, Catrina, Chris, Eric, and Cheryl.
Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State Street Portland. Services Thursday February 12, 2004 at 11:00 am at the Funeral Home with the Rev. Eric Kelly officiating. Interment
will be in New Calvary Cemetery following the service.
Alice Louise O'Donnell
March 2, 1921
February 6, 2004
SOUTH PORTLAND - Alice Louise O'Donnell, 82 of Aspen Avenue died Friday, February 6, 2004 at a Portland hospital.
She was born March 2, 1921 in Houlton, Maine, the daughter of James and Elva Victory McGillicuddy. She graduated in 1939 from Hodgdon High School and also received her Associates Degree from a business college in Houlton in 1941.
Prior to World War II she worked as a secretCourier clerk at Houlton Air Base.
On August 25, 1948 she married Eugene G. O'Donnell at St. Mary's Church in Houlton. Together they began raising a family and later moved to the Portland area in 1958.
Alice returned to work in 1962 for O'Donnell's Express. In 1968 the family moved to Lincoln and returned to the Portland area in 1970. In 1972 she accepted a position at St. John's Credit Union in South Portland. She accepted a position for Blue Line Trucking Company, retiring in 1983.
She was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church. Alice was a member of the Catholic Women's Council, the South Portland VFW Auxiliary and the Maine Ostomy Association.
Her husband Eugene died December 29, 1995 and was also predeceased by four brothers, John, Maurice, Donald and Gerald McGillicuddy.
She is survived by two daughters; Joan Stinson and her husband Roger of Lincoln, Patricia Nadeau and her husband Nelson of Portland; three sisters, Margaret Welton of Houlton, Helen Craine and her husband Ed of Presque Isle, and Ruth Rau and her husband Ed of Phoenix, Arizona; one grandson; Roger Stinson Jr. and his wife Michele of Lincoln and 2 great grandsons; William Christopher Stinson and Justyn Michael Stinson both of Lincoln.
Visiting hours will be held 2 to 4p.m. & 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at Conroy Tully South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway South Portland, Maine. Prayers will be recited at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday followed by a 9:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church in South Portland. Burial will be at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta.
Those desiring may make donations to: Mercy Hospital, 144 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101.
Earle Orrington Veilleux
November 30, 1921
February 4, 2004
SOUTH PORTLAND -Earle Orrington Veilleux, 82, formerly of 1700 Broadway in South Portland died on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 in Yarmouth.
He was born November 30, 1921, a son of John J. and Blanche G. Sears Mitchell. Earle attended local schools and Portland High School. In 1922 the Veilleux family adopted him.
He served in the Army during World War II. While in the service he received the American Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Following the war in 1948 he married the former Mary Maganello at St. Peter’s Church in Portland.
He was employed at the General Electric Company for several years.
His wife Mary predeceased him on April 24, 2002.
He is survived by a daughter, Ann Marie Childress of California; two grandchildren, Robin and Scott Childress, both of Texas; three nieces and four nephews.
Prayers will be recited on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 10:15 a.m. at Conroy Tully South Portland Chapel 1024 Broadway South Portland. An11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.
James E. Murray, Jr.
November 13, 1928
February 6, 2004
CAPE ELIZABETH - James E. Murray Jr., age 75, died Friday, February 6, 2004 at Maine Medical Center after being diagnosed with lung cancer in December of 2003.
Mr. Murray was born in Lewiston, Maine, on November 13, 1928, a son of James E. Murray Sr. and the former Mary Maliar. He attended Augusta Schools and was a graduate of Cony High School in Augusta. He was graduated from Nichols College in Dudley, MA and received his J.D. from the Maine School of Law.
Mr. Murray served in the U.S. Army and later the U.S. Air Force in the 82nd Air Borne Division during the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Murray was employed by Allstate Insurance Company for 30 years where he served as Senior Market Claims Manager for 18 of those years. He retired in 1987. After his retirement, he served as an Insurance Consultant for Commercial Union Insurance.
He took an active role in the community in which he lived. He served on the Cape Elizabeth Town Council as a Selectman and was also a member of the School Board. When the Town of Cape Elizabeth purchased Fort Williams, Mr. Murray served as member of the advisory board for the Cape Elizabeth Fort Williams advisory committee.
Mr. Murray was Past President and Founder of the Cape Boosters, Past President of the Little League, and Past President of the Maine State Claims Council, and a member of the Southern Maine Claims Association.
He served on the building committee at St. Bartholomew's Church where he was a communicant. Mr. Murray also volunteered at the soup kitchen on Preble Street in Portland.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marjorie Gillespie Murray of Cape Elizabeth; three sons, James E. Murray III and his wife Teresa (Harvey) of Lake Barrington, Ill., Robert J. Murray and his wife Christine (D'Alfonso) of South Portland, and Joel P. Murray and his wife Lauren (Merrill) of Westwood MA; one daughter, Susan Murray Guerette and her husband Joseph Guerette of Cape Elizabeth; one sister, Jean Murray Fallon of Augusta; eleven grandchildren, Ryan, Erin, and Kelly Murray of Lake Barrington Ill., Sean and Emily Murray of South Portland, Courtney, Justin, and Samantha Guerette of Cape Elizabeth, Lily, Riley, and Kyle Murray of Westwood, MA; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held Monday, February 9 from 4-8 PM at Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, February 10 at 11:00 AM at St. Bartholomew's Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth. Interment
will be in Riverside Memorial Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Murray's memory may be made to: Cape Elizabeth Rescue, 2 Jordan Way, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107, or to the American Cancer Society, One Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, Maine 04086.
John "Dick" Michael Richards, Sr.
December 22, 1922
February 2, 2004
PORTLAND – John “Dick” Michael Richards Sr, age 81, died Monday, February 2, 2004 at his residence after a brief illness.
He was born in Benedicta, ME on December 22, 1922, a son of John A. and Clara E. Crowe Richards. He graduated from Stearns High School in Millinocket.
Mr. Richards served in World War II in the 313 Battalion where he traveled to Africa and Italy.
Mr. Richards was a self employed carpenter. He often subcontracted for Cape Realty and F. S. Plummer.
He enjoyed walking his dog “Girl” around Baxter Boulevard and Baxter Woods. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Mr. Richards loved spending time outdoors.
He was active in the VFW in South Portland and was part of a special pool team “Over the Hill Gang.” He was also involved in the dart club and participated in the horse shoe tournaments.
Mr. Richards was a former communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
He is predeceased by his wife, Florence M. Calvert in 2001, and one grandson, Michael Carlow in 2000.
He is survived by four daughters, Elizabeth Carlow and her husband Herbert of Hodgdon, ME, Deborah Levesque and her husband Mark of Naperville, Illinois, Veronica Richards and her husband David Boyce of Littleton, Colorado, and Rebecca Fontaine and her husband Tommy Otto of Staten Island, New York; one son, John M. Richards Jr. of Portland; one sister, Mary Rush of Sherman, Maine; three grandchildren, Michelle Rollins of Windham, Alicia Hartford of Lombard, Illinois, and Christopher Levesque of Naperville, Illinois; six great grandchildren; two special nephews that were his best friends, William Gunn of Windham and Sal Leaman of Cambridge, MA, and many other nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Girl.
Visiting hours will be Friday, February 6, 2004 from 9:00-11:00 AM at Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
If so desired, contributions in John’s memory may be made to: Visiting Nurse Association Home Health Care, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME 04106.
John S. Norton
December 24, 1922
February 1, 2004
SOUTH PORTLAND - John S. Norton, 81, of Providence Ave. South Portland died Sunday at Mercy Hospital after a long illness.
He was born on December 24, 1922 in Portland, Maine, son of John F. and Sarah "Sadie" Stanton Norton. One of eight children he graduated from South Portland High School where he excelled on the varsity baseball, football and track teams. As a starting pitcher he was known for his blazing fastball which earned him the nickname "Smokey" Norton.
After graduation he worked for the Maine Central Railroad as a locomotive fireman until his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Sierra in the Pacific Theater during World War II. While in naval training in Chicago he met his future wife, Mary Lannon, at the Serviceman's Center where she was a volunteer.
After the war he returned to railroading on the Maine Central, Boston & Maine and Chicago Burlington and Northern lines. In 1951 he and Mary relocated to Chicago, Il. and raised a family of five children. The family returned to Maine in 1965 to operate a lobsterbake catering businesses and pizza shop on Long Island, Casco Bay. He was a hard worker who held two jobs for most of his life. In addition to railroading he was a top salesman for Sears in Chicago, worked for United Airlines in Chicago and Boston and later in sales for Cozy Harbor Seafood in Portland.
He was active in political and environmental causes. In Chicago he worked on John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign and in Maine was a founding member of Citizens Who Care, an organization that opposed a supertanker facility on Long Island and later spearheaded Maine's site selection law. He was a volunteer for Portland's West End Food Pantry for many years after his retirement.
He was a patient and principled man who persevered and fought tirelessly for his beliefs. He was outgoing and enjoyed dealing with the public in his lobsterbake business and as retail manager of Commercial St. Fish Market. He was a classical music buff, loved spending time with his family and was particularly devoted to, and proud of, his grandchildren.
Surviving are his daughters Mary Norton and Alice Norton of South Portland, Ann Norton of New Sharon, son Mark Norton of South Portland, son John Norton, Jr. and his wife Nancy of Cape Elizabeth, sister Eleanor Flaherty and brother Edward Norton of South Portland, sister Patricia Jensen of Westbrook, four grandchildren Jonathan Norton of Cape Elizabeth, Nathan Smiley, Eleanor Smiley and Eliza Smiley all of New Sharon, and 62 nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by Mary, his wife of 48 years; brother Walter "Mike" Norton, sisters Dorothy Norton, Anna (Sister Marianne) Norton and Sally Hasson.
Visiting hours will be held 2 to 5 & 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday February 4, 2004 at Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway South Portland. Prayers will be recited Thursday at 9:15 a.m. at South Portland Chapel followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
Zelda M. Leaf
January 30, 2004
CAPE ELIZABETH - Zelda M. Leaf, formerly of Thirlmere Ave, South Portland, died January 30, 2004 at a Cape Elizabeth Health Center after a long illness. She was 96.
She was born in Portland, the daughter of John E. Leaf and Jane (Corkery) Leaf. She attended Portland Schools and graduated from Portland High School. Miss Leaf worked in the legal field for many years and then worke at Stauffer Company in South Portland from where she retired.
She was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister.
Miss Leaf is predeceased by her parents and beloved sister, Olive.
She is survived by many cousins including Virginia M. Morong and David W. Lucas, both of South Portland.
There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, February 2, 2004 at 2:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist Church, Main St., South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: St. John the Evangelist Church, 29 Aspen Ave., South Portland, ME 04106.
Eugene D. Coté, Jr.
October 20, 1926
January 28, 2004
SOUTH PORTLAND - Eugene D. Coté Jr. 77, of South Portland, died peacefully Wednesday, January 28th, at home with his loving wife, Jane Kowalski Coté, and his oldest son, David, by his side.
Mr. Coté was born in Brunswick, Maine October 20th, 1926 and was the son of Eugene D. Coté, Sr. and Margaret Carter Coté.
He attended Brunswick schools, and faithfully served his country in the United States Navy in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1945. He was a radioman aboard the U.S.S. Osage receiving medals of honor for the American Campaign, World War II and the South Pacific Campaign.
Following the war, Mr. Coté attended Portland Junior College and was a 1952 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in business.
Mr. Coté excelled in a long-standing career in sales and at one time owned his own business, Automatic Security Alarms of Maine.
Relating to his commitment to community involvement, Mr. Coté served as President of the South Portland American Little League and was an active booster for the High School track teams. He also belonged to the American Legion Stewart P. Morrill Post No. 35.
During his retirement, Mr. Coté loved gardening and took pride in home remodeling. He truly enjoyed his friends at Starbird Music Shoppe where he took organ lessons and was the first student to ever record his own music on a cd. He was also known for walking his neighborhood with his beloved dog, Rajah.
Eugene and Jane recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and treasured all of the time they had together.
Mr. Coté is survived by his loving wife Jane, sister Louise of Topsham, sister Lucille of New Bern, North Carolina, son David of Old Orchard Beach, daughter Natalie Anthony of Westbrook, daughter Kathryn Brooks of Gorham, son Eugene D. Coté III of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, son William of York, Pennsylvania as well as eight grandchildren: John, Peter, Ashley, Margaux, Andrea, Hannah, Kyle and Eliza. He was pre-deceased by his sister Doris of Arizona.
Visiting hours will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, February 1st at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home located at 1024 Broadway in South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday morning, February 2nd at St. John the Evangelist Church located at 611 Main Street, South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate contributions made for renovations to: St. John the Evangelist Church located at 611 Main Street, South Portland, Maine 04106.
Eva Horton
January 26, 2004
PORTLAND - Eva Horton, one of the best known and most loved citizens of Portland, Maine, died at her home on Tuesday, February 26, 2004. Mother, artist, teacher, entrepreneur, student, hostess, volunteer, friend and caregiver, Eva was 70.
At various times she was an icon of the Portland arts, education, business and social scenes. She personified what many feel are the defining qualities of the city-warm and open, artsy yet purposeful, smart, fresh, creative, young, but with a long, colorful history.
Eva drew people in and helped change their lives. Whether studying ballroom dancing, computer graphics, drumming, nutrition, spiritual and personal growth, design or sculpting, she was a true lifelong learner. She led by example, inspiring scores of people to take control of their lives and move to a new and richer level.
Born in Oslo, Norway, she came to the United States in 1953 to attend Skidmore College. She met her husband Donald Horton while working as a camp counselor; they were married in Oslo in 1954.
An accomplished gymnast and contender for the Norwegian Olympic team, she taught high school girls gym in Rhode Island. There she and her husband created a warm home for their three children.
Upon moving to North Carolina in 1965 she ran a pre-school for the rural poor and continued her work with disadvantaged children working for The Peoples Regional Opportunity Program(PROP) after moving to Portland in 1969. There she started a business making "Pebble People"-small figures made by gluing beach pebbles together and drawing on faces which she sold at craft fairs and gift shops up and down the coast of Maine.
In 1971 she and her husband founded Kristia Associates to import, market and distribute the Jotul woodstove in North America, a business that became a huge success. In 1979 she founded the Chimney Sweep Guild, which still exists. In 1981 Eva moved to Greenwich, CT with her second husband Wallace E. Tobin, where she became a professional sculptor and art teacher.
Back in Portland in 1989, this teacher-artist originated Victoria Terrace Apartments bed and breakfast which she ran for 15 years, right up until her death.
She is survived by children Kristin Horton of Portland, Frederick Horton of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Thomas Horton of Northampton, Massachusetts, brother Sven I. Dysthe and sister Kari Albert of Oslo, Norway, seven grandchildren, former husbands Donald Horton and Wallace Tobin and a host of devoted friends.
A celebration of Eva's life will take place Saturday Feb. 8, 2004 from 3-7 PM at her residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Unity Church, 54 River Road, Windham, ME 04062.Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, Portland.
John Patrick "Johnny" Devine
September 7, 1934
January 26, 2004
PORTLAND - John Patrick "Johnny" Devine, 69, of North Street, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004 at the Maine Medical Center where he was hospitalized for the past 3 weeks with pneumonia This followed a battle for 5 years with lung and voice box cancer. Throughout his illness and hospitalization he remained good natured with dry humor and was always optimistic.
He was born in Portland on Sept. 7, 1934, a son of Raymond V. and Sarah A. "Peggy" Ramsdell Devine. He was educated in Portland, graduating from Cathedral Grammar School and Cheverus High School, class of 1953. While in grammar and high school, John was a member of the Boy Scouts and was a member of Msgr. Boltz's Cathedral Choisters. Active in sports, he attended St. Michael's College in Winooski, VT on a football scholarship. He graduated from St. Francis College in Biddeford in 1957. While in high school and college he was a camp counselor and water-front instructor at Camp Gregory on Crystal Lake, and was an ROTC member in college and was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves for several years.
After graduation from college John was a teacher at Franklin High School, Franklin, NH. Before returning to graduate school he had various occupations. In Boston he was the night manager of the Parker House, the flower department manger at Sears, and at one time worked on submarines at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
In 1976, following a leg amputation, John went back to college at the University of Maine Portland-Gorham and received his Master's Degree in Education and Medical Rehabilitation Counseling. After receiving his master's degree, he was employed by Cumberland County as an alcohol and substance abuse counselor for ten years. After retiring in 1988, he did private counseling until his illness.
John was a communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and while in New Hampshire, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus (3rd degree), and the Holy Name Society. He was a member of alumni societies of both Cheverus and the colleges he graduated from. He was also a member of the Portland Elks #188.
Carpentry was a favorite hobby of John's, and he built a summer cottage on the family property in Ogunquit. He was also a sports enthusiast of the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, and the New England Patriots, and was pleased with their success, looking forward to this Sunday's game. John also enjoyed reading, especially the newspaper, where his father Ray had been employed for 42 years. Television and music were also his pleasures.
He was a kind and caring person to all he knew, whether it was to Gov. Brennan, a classmate of his at Cheverus, or to his clients at the Cumberland County facility.
He was pre-deceased by his loving parents in 1981, his beloved younger brother Raymond James Devine in 1974, and his infant twin siblings in 1937.
John is survived by his loving sister Mary-Joann "Mary-Jo" Devine, R.N., with whom he resided at the family homestead on North St. for the past 23 years. Mary-Jo was also his caregiver for the past 5 years.
He is also survived by three daughters, Patricia and Barbara Jean of Scarborough, and Joanne Devine of South Portland; two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Alexander Van of South Portland; two special nephews, Timothy A. Devine and his wife Sonja of Gorham, and Raymond James O'Brien of Yarmouth; four grand-nephews and one grand-niece. He is also survived by many cousins and numerous good friends and neighbors.
A special thank you to the Portland Fire Dept. - their N.E.T. van transported John to his many appointments. Also a special thank you to the many doctors and nurses who cared for Johnny over the years.
Visiting hours will be Friday from 4-7 P.M. at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., 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.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the to the American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105.
Francis Robert McAllan
March 2, 1916
January 23, 2004
PORTLAND- Francis Robert McAllan, 87 of Westbrook died on Friday, January 23, 2004 at a local nursing home after a brief illness.
He was born March 2, 1916 in Portland, a son of William and Mary (Gubbins) McAllan. Francis was one of nine children. He graduated from Portland High School in 1934 where he was on the track team.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. on August 15, 1940 and served during World War II in the Pacific Theater of operation. He was at Gauda Canal during the war.
He worked for 30 years as a meat cutter at Rudy's Market in East Deering and worked at General Electric Company for 10 years before retiring in 1978.
As a young man on vacation in Florida, he caddied for Mrs. Rose Kennedy, Babe Zaharis and Arnold Palmer. He enjoyed golf and played softball for years, and was also a great bowler.
Francis was a member at the VFW #6859, the American Legion and the Marine Corp. League.
A stepson, Peter Murphy and a stepdaughter Harriet Peterson predeceased him.
Survivors include his wife Arline, son, John Robert of Westbrook, stepdaughter Sandra Profenno of Westbrook, five sisters, Elizabeth Moore and Helen Kelley of Portland, Anna Molotoris of Greenfield, Mass, Virginia Rioux of Vera Beach, Florida and Veronica Gately of Norwood, Mass., 11 stepgrandchildren and 22 step great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held 2-4 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2004 at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State Street Portland. Prayers will be recited at 10:15 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27 at St. Piux X Church. Burial will be held at a later date at Maine Veteran's Cemetery in Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Iris Network Serving the Blind at 189 Park Avenue Portland, Maine 04102
Virginia M. Halcrow
November 26, 1914
December 26, 2004
FALMOUTH - Virginia M. Halcrow, 89 years old, formerly of 16 Loveitt's Field Road, So. Portland, died peacefully on January 26, 2004 at Sedgewood Commons.
Known to her family as Ginny, she was born in Portland, a daughter of Charles E. and Katherine V. Morgan Halcrow, on November 26, 1914. She graduated from Portland High School in 1931, the same year as her sister Barbara and 6 years earlier than younger sister, Eleanor. While Barbara went on to marry Gordon Ferguson, Virginia and Eleanor never married but lived happily together until Eleanor's untimely death in 2001.
Their apartment at 199 Vaughn Street in Portland, and later their homes on Drew Road and Loveitt's Field, So. Portland, were the scenes of many family gatherings, particularly when Barbara and her family would drive up from Massachusetts to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter holidays. Virginia's nephews, Bruce and Douglas Ferguson, have many happy memories of the turkeys and pies cooked in Ginny's kitchen. Summers were spent commuting to work with Eleanor from the Ferguson's cottage on Great Diamond Island.
The Halcrow family grew up on Munjoy Hill, and their father was a civilian mechanic hired by the Portland Police Department to drive the first motorized "paddy wagon", which until his employment was pulled by two white horses. Following graduation from high school, Virginia began a series of jobs, including working at H.H. Hays drug store in Monument Square, where she did the books upstairs in accounting while making up the menus. Eventually she worked at A.R. Wright Coal and Oil Company, first on Forest Avenue, then Park Avenue, where she rose through many positions. When she retired, in 1976, after some 40 years employment, she was Vice President. In contrast, her sister Eleanor spent only 35 years with New England Telephone.
Virginia and her sisters enjoyed traveling, and took several trips to Europe and Bermuda. Other hobbies included knitting, painting, gardening and solving the New York Times crossword, which she inevitably completed. She loved her sisters dearly, and her nephews, grand nephews (Darren, Sam and Doug Ferguson), great grand niece (Kaylyn) and great grand nephew (Sean).
She is sadly missed and fondly remembered by her survivors, including nephews Bruce S. Ferguson of Cumberland Foreside and G. Douglas Ferguson of Tampa, FL.
There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Friday at Holy Cross Church in South Portland; friends are invited. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Virginia's name to The Alzheimer's Association, 163 Lancaster Street, Suite 160B, Portland, ME 04101.
Helen Fitch Foley
August 21, 1913
January 20, 2004
WESTBROOK – Helen Fitch Foley, 90, of Marilyn Avenue, Westbrook, died January 20, 2004 after a long and full life.
Until recently, she was lovingly cared for at home by her family. Helen attended St. Joseph’s Adult Day Care Center prior to her admission to St. Joseph’s Manor. She was always treated with kindness and dignity and enjoyed the many new friends she made there.
Helen was born August 21, 1913 in East Sebago, the only daughter of Harry and Lillian (Herlich) Fitch. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy and graduated from Lassell College. Her brother, Bud, predeceased her. Helen moved to Portland upon her marriage and she was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. Helen raised her seven children in Portland before moving to Westbrook after the death of her husband. She retired from the Portland School Department.
Helen enjoyed playing cards with her life long friends and she enjoyed traveling. She combined both activities with a trip to Monte Carlo. Helen was a “tough New England Yankee” who fiercely guarded her independence. She loved her family and reveled in family “get togethers.” She looked forward to visits from her great grandchildren.
Helen was an avid cook and gardener – growing not only flowers but vegetables in summer. On a hot sunny summer day she would pick strawberries for hours and then would make ice cream and short cakes for her family. Each August she took her grandchildren to Brunswick to pick blueberries for pies and muffins.
Helen was the widow of Portland Police Lt. and former Chief Deputy Sheriff of Cumberland County, Thomas P. Foley, Jr.
She is survived by all seven of her children: William F. Foley and his wife Barbara A. of Scarborough; Paul K. Foley of Westbrook; Richard J. Foley and his wife Jean M. of Gorham; Constance A. Smith of Westbrook; Elizabeth H. Foley of Poland; Judith M. Bischoff of Chandler, AZ; and Kathleen Foley-Dodge of Westbrook; fourteen grandchildren: Thomas and James Merrow and Kevin Smith; Timothy, Linda (Vaughan), John Foley; Eric and Mark Giguere; Kelly, Elizabeth (Moore), Scott Bischoff; Nathaniel Dodge; Meghan and Michael Foley; and fifteen great grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be Friday, January 23 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland, where prayers will be recited 10:15 AM Saturday, January 24, to be followed by a celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 80 Sherman Street, Portland. Interment
will be in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to: St. Joseph’s Manor Activity Fund, 1133 Washington Avenue, Portland, ME 04103 or to: St. Joseph’s Manor Adult Day Care, 1133 Washington Avenue, Portland, ME 04103.
Jeanette A. Manning
February 26, 1916
January 17, 2004
PORTLAND - Jeanette A. Manning, 87, of Brighton Avenue, died Saturday January 17, 2004 at the Mercy Hospital in Portland.
She was born in Portland on Feb. 26, 1916, one of seven children of Peter and Priscilla Pineau Luttrell. She attended Cathedral Grammar School, and was a graduate of Cathedral High School in 1934. As a child, she would summer with her family at Prince Edward Island, where her parents were originally from.
After working for a couple of years, Jeanette studied nursing at Queen's Hospital in Portland, and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1939.
She then worked in New York at Roosevelt Hospital for a few years, and after the death of her father, moved back to Portland and accepted a nursing position at Queen's Hospital. She was part of the staff that assisted in the transition of Queen's Hospital to Mercy Hospital, and became the Head Nurse on 4 North at Mercy.
She left Mercy to work for Dr. Lorimer in his office, and later stopped working in 1948 to raise her children. In 1960, she re-entered the work force and did private duty nursing for Dr. Douphinett until his death. For the last several years, she has volunteered at Mercy Hospital, having logged over 2000 hours at the hospital. As a cancer survivor, she would often visit and talk to other cancer patients at Mercy Hospital. She has also volunteered at the McAuley Thrift Shop since its inception. She has also stayed active with the Mercy Alumni. Jeanette will be remembered as a wonderful nurse - very caring, compassionate, and kind to her patients.
Jeanette was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Portland, and was a Past President of the Sacred Heart Mother's Club when her children were in school. She was also the volunteer school nurse for many years at Sacred Heart School. She was also active in the Cathedral Parents Group, and during the 1950's was active in the Christian Family Movement.
Jeanette enjoyed watching baseball, and was a lifelong Red Sox fan. She followed the team all of her life, and had the opportunity to attend the Red Sox spring training a few years ago. She also enjoyed watching football and basketball. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling with her husband Louis, taking cruises, bus trips, and a trip to Hawaii with him.
Jeanette was also interested in politics, and took great pride in following her son Peter's political career.
She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years Louis W. Manning, who died July 31, 1999.
She was also predeceased by two brothers Louis Luttrell and Eugene Luttrell.
Surviving are a daughter, Janine M. Manning of South Portland; a son, Peter J. Manning of Portland and his fiancé Jean Roods and her children; three sisters, Lauretta Crowley and Eileen Luttrell, both of Portland, and Eunice Carroll and her husband Patrick of South Portland; a brother, Gerald Luttrell and his wife Patricia of Torrance, CA; a sister-in-law, Adelaide Luttrell of South Portland; a brother-in-law, Edward Manning of Portland; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, Portland. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
Throughout her years, Mercy Hospital, its staff, and its mission remained an important and constant part of Jeanette's life. The family wishes to thank the staff of Mercy for its care, compassion, and support throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospital, 144 State Street, Portland, ME 04101.
