John G. Szymanski
January 21, 1946
November 9, 2007
PORTLAND - John G. Szymanski, 61, of Portland, passed away Friday evening, November 9, 2007 after a long illness. He was born on January 21, 1946, the son of John and Edith Szymanski. He graduated from Cheverus High School and the University of Rhode Island. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, John graduated from the Wharton School of Business.
He worked in Illinois and California before returning to Portland in 2001. John was a business consultant who specialized in small business development, product development, and marketing.
John is survived by his sisters, Edith August and Karen Szymanski, both of Portland.
Family and friends are invited to attend a 9:00am Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, November 15th at St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street, Portland. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 180 U.S. Route 1, #1, Scarborough, Maine 04074.
Sarah G. Martin
November 8, 2007
GORHAM - Sarah G. Martin, the little girl from Gorham, Maine who was an inspiration to many as she battled a rare mitochondrial disorder, has died at age 2 ˝ on November 8, 2007. Her ability to touch so many lives throughout her courageous fight will be long remembered, as will those most memorable traits she possessed, such as her piercing blue eyes and loving gentle ways. Her love of a warm ocean breeze and her passion for life will continue to touch us forever.
“Sarah-Bear” is survived by her loving parents, John J. and Amy S. Martin of Gorham, her brother Joshua and twin sister Kate, both of Gorham, maternal grandparents Richard and Sandra Keenan of Cape Elizabeth, Jacqueline and Jerry Gogan of Farmington, paternal grandparents John B. and Jo-Ann Martin of Cary, NC, aunt Beth Keenan of South Portland, and numerous other loving aunts, uncles, cousins and relatives.
Visitation will be Friday, November 9, 2007 from 4-8pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial honoring her life will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 673 Stevens Ave, Portland on Saturday, November 10, 2007. Interment
with committal prayers will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Portland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sarah’s name to The Jason Program, 65 Washington Avenue, Portland, Maine 04101 (207) 773-2947, www.jasonprogram.org.
Alma G. Tully
October 31, 2007
Alma G. Tully, formerly of Boston and Newtonville, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine.
Born in Boston, a daughter of Michael P. and Mary Mansfield Tully, she graduated from Jamaica Plains High School and Burdette Business College.
Miss Tully worked all her life in the food brokerage business beginning with the George Stall Company, Curran and Crevier and retired in 1997 at the age of 83 from Toomey, Fitzgerald and Delong.
Miss Tully was a longtime communicant of Our Lady Help of Christians in West Newton.
Survivors include her sister, Sr. M. Adrianna, CSJ, residing in Framingham, MA; her sister-in-law Theresa Tully of Portland, ME; two nephews, Paul Tully of South Portland, ME and Roger Tully of Whippany, NJ; one niece, Louise Wallace of Barrington Hills, IL and several grand nieces and grand nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday at St. Pius X Church in Portland, ME and burial was in Calvary Cemetery in So. Portland.
Josephine Wilma Mahoney
December 13, 1938
November 3, 2007
WESTBROOK - Josephine Wilma Mahoney, 68, died peacefully Saturday, November 3, 2007, at her home with her loving family by her side, after a brief illness. She was born December 13, 1938, in Portland, a daughter of Clinton K. and Mary G. (Renna) Palmer. Josephine attended Portland schools.
Josephine married Robert W. Mahoney on May 16, 1957, at the First Baptist Church in Portland.
She worked as a stitcher for the Sebago Shoe Company in Westbrook for 27 years, retiring in 2003. After retiring, she worked part time for Rite Aid.
Josephine enjoyed Beano and her Foxwoods trips, but her most favorite time was spent at Spring Point at SMCC with her family and friends.
Surviving are her husband of fifty years, Robert; her mother, Mary G. Palmer; a daughter, Kathy L. Blanchard; two sons Robert A. Mahoney and Clinton K. “Kenny” Mahoney and his wife Joanne, all of Westbrook; three sisters, Helen Young and her husband Albert of South Portland, Marie Delaney and her husband Robert of Portland, and Cora Collins and her companion Gunter Ahrens of Scarborough; a brother, Edward Palmer and his wife Arlene of South Portland; three grandchildren, Sarah Higgins, Corey Mahoney, and Shannon Mahoney; two great-grandchildren, Mathew Higgins and Kamron Higgins; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Her family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Maria of Hospice of Southern Maine for the kind and compassionate care given to Josephine.
Family and friends are invited to attend a period of visitation from 10am-12pm on Wednesday, November 7 at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, with a funeral service to immediately follow. Interment
will be in Forest City Cemetery, South Portland.
Donations may be made in Josephine’s memory to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, #1, Scarborough, Maine 04074.
Agnes K. Simpson
November 1, 2007
Agnes K. Simpson, former long time resident of Margaret Street in South Portland, passed away peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough on November 1, 2007, several days after suffering a stroke. She was 87.
She was born in Waterville, the eldest child of Lewis F., Sr. and Hazel Bowman Mulhern. She attended Fairfield schools and was a 1937 graduate of Lawrence High School at the age of 16. She later attended Thomas Business College for one year; then entered nurses training at Maine General School of Nursing, graduating in 1946. During her nurses training, she was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps and spent a six month internship at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Upon graduation, she worked for the Thayer Hospital in Waterville for a year. She then worked ten years as a neurosurgical nurse for Drs. George Maltby and Robinson Bidwell of Portland. From 1957 to 1965 she did private duty nursing, and from 1965 until her retirement in 1978 she worked as a nuclear medicine technologist for Drs. Stanley Herrick and Russell Briggs at Maine Medical center.
Agnes loved music from an early age and wrote and sang her high school class ode. She studied voice and did solo work in her younger years.
She and her husband Joseph F. “Fred” Simpson enjoyed a happy retirement traveling extensively, taking several cruises and wintering in Lake Wales, Florida from 1984 until 1993. Mr. Simpson passed away in June of 1994.
Agnes was a past president of the Maine General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, past president of the Maine Operating Room Nurses Association and a member of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists.
In May of this year, her dream of living to see her beloved granddaughter Katie graduate from college was realized.
For the past two years, she made her home at Birchwoods at Canco in Portland, where she made many new friends with residents and staff.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Lewis F. Mulhern Jr. in 1964 and her husband.
Agnes is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Frederick M. and Toby E. Simpson; her granddaughter, Katheryn (Katie) Simpson, all of South Portland; her sister Bessie Oettinger of Bath; her brother and sister-in-law Alton and Betty Mulhern of Auburn; sisters-in-law, Louise Farrabee of Beverly Hills, FL and R. Virginia Beyda of Sacramento, CA; several nieces and nephews and many cherished friends.
Her family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Birchwoods at Canco; Drs. Heather Schwemm, Burr Lowe, Craig Hurwitz and the staff of the Gosnell Hospice House for the kind and compassionate care given to Agnes.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, November 4th at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited 9:15 a.m. Monday, at the chapel, followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland. A private burial will take place at a later date.
William C. Wiemert
June 15, 1921
October 28, 2007
SCARBOROUGH - William C. Wiemert, 86, of Scarborough, formerly of Congress Street, Portland, died on October 28, 2007 at the Maine Veteran’s Home. He was born on June 15, 1921, a son of John and Bridget (Mullen) Wiemert, attended St. Dominic’s School, and was a 1940 graduate of Cheverus High School.
During World War II, he served in the European Theater of Operations.
William married the former Sabina Mulkern on July 2, 1955, at Holy Cross Church. She predeceased him in 1983.
He worked for twenty years (1945-1965) at Warehouse Transportation. Later, he worked for five years for the State of Maine Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, retiring in 1982.
Bill was an avid golfer and Red Sox fan. He was a member of the American Legion Harold T. Andrews Post, and a former member of the Eagles. He was proud of his heritage, and traveled to Ireland four times.
When he was younger, Bill was a communicant of St. Dominic’s Church, and was later a communicant of St. Pius X Church.
Besides his wife, Bill was predeceased by four brothers. He is survived by nephew John “Jock” Wiemert and his wife Annie “Sue” of South Portland; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and good friend Dr. Francis Curran of Scarborough.
Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 6-8pm on Thursday, November 1 at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at 10:15am on Friday, November 2 at the funeral home, followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Interment
will be at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations in William’s memory may be made to the Maine Veteran’s Home, 290 US Route 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074 or to the charity of your choice.
Michael Allen Costa
January 25, 1922
October 29, 2007
SOUTH PORTLAND - Michael Allen Costa, 85, of South Portland, passed away Monday, October 29th, 2007.
He was born on January 25, 1922 in New York City, the son of Michael Costa and Catherine Acquaro, who were new American citizens from Italy. He grew up in Yonkers, New York. He attended Gorton High School in Yonkers, was a member of the National Honor Society there, and graduated in 1940.
He attended Dartmouth College, where he was officially a member of the class of 1944. That class has a wing of Baker Library dedicated to it at Dartmouth. He majored in psychology, and graduated in 1947. Michael was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and played varsity football at Dartmouth. He was also a member of the Dragon Senior Society at Dartmouth.
He served in the 94th Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II, receiving a battlefield commission to 2nd lieutenant. He served from 1942-1946.
Michael was married to Patricia Jane Toohey in 1948, together they raised four children; she predeceased him in 1992.
He co-owned and operated Costa Brothers Food Wholesalers during the 1940s and 50's.
Costa Apple Cider is still sold in New York, which the family sold to the Andola family in the 1950's. Michael came to Maine with his family in 1964, and initially resided in Bangor. He managed the Doug's Shop and Save Store in Bangor. He worked for Hannaford Brothers as the produce manager from 1966-1975, and for Sweet Life in Connecticut in the same capacity from 1975-77. His working career also included time working as a commercial realtor with Peterson Realty as well as Sun Properties in Portland.
Michael and his family resided in Cape Elizabeth from 1966-2000, when he moved to South Portland and resided at the Breakwater Condominiums.
He led a full life and was beloved by many.
He is survived by his sisters Josephine Costa of New Paltz, NY, Frances Costa of Highland, NY and by his beloved children: Michael Costa, III of Sanford, Jane Costa of Portland, Robert Costa of Readsville, NC, David Costa of Portland, and grandchildren Destiny, Michael and Katie.
Visiting hours will be held 2 to 4 Wednesday at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. He will be laid to rest at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY, next to his beloved Patricia.
The family wishes to thank his many friends who~visited him and sent him loving messages and made phone calls during his illness.
We thank you dad for your precious spirit and entrust you to the arms of angels.
Constance Harford
August 4, 1933
February 3, 2008
PORTLAND - Constance Harford, 74, of Portland, died Sunday, February 3, 2008, at The Cedars Nursing Home.
She was born on August 4, 1933 in Portland, a daughter of Herbert and Helen (Buckley) Harford. She attended St. Dominics Grammar School and Cathedral High School and was later employed by the J. J. Nissen baking company in Portland until she retired in February of 1994. She was a long standing member of the American Legion, Amvets, the Eagles Fraternity, and the VFW and she enjoyed volunteering for their fundraising and charitable events and programs for many years.
She is predeceased by her sisters Mary Harford Yankowsky and Patricia Harford Malia and brothers Howard and Donald Harford.
Constance is survived by sisters Frances Harford Turner of Cumberland and Jean Harford Badgery of Raymond; many nieces and nephews to whom she was a loving and devoted aunt, and vinnie, her loyal and faithful feline friend and companion for the last 3 years.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 3-7 at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St. Prayers will be recited at 10:15 Wednesday at the funeral home. An 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X Church on Wednesday. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Maine Cancer Foundation, 970 Baxter Blvd., Portland, ME 04103 or The Homeless Animal Rescue Team (Hart of Maine) PO Box 351, Cumberland, Maine 04021.
Albert F. Pearson, III
May 3, 1944
January 31, 2008
FALMOUTH - Albert F. Pearson III (Grampy) of Falmouth died peacefully Thursday, January 31 at Maine Medical Center while holding the hands of both of his daughters. He bravely fought a short battle with lymphoma. Albert (Butch) was born on May 3, 1944 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, a son of Albert Frances II and Lillian (White) Pearson.
Al later moved to Marblehead, MA. He attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA. His father was a lobsterman and Al always enjoyed the ocean.
Al was first and foremost a loving father and grandfather. He was happiest being with his grandchildren. Limited words cannot describe the impact he had on their lives. He was a kid at heart and loved tremendously by his family. He was an extremely intelligent man, and owned AFP INC. before closing it and becoming a full time grampy.
His family is overwhelmed with the wonderful memories they have with him.
In addition to spending time with his grandchildren, Al enjoyed fishing, reading, word puzzles, and talking politics and science. He enjoyed spending time by the ocean with his grandchildren, and was a quiet man who put family first. He was an incredible cook and enjoyed trying new healthy recipes and shopping for food.
Al is survived by his two loving daughters and their families; Tracey Jordan of Durham and her husband David, their two daughters Whitney (Megquier) Jordan and Samantha Jordan and his beloved granddog Baxter; his daughter Julie Clark of Augusta and her husband David and his grandchildren, Jillian and Davey; his sister, Susan and her children Christian and Robin and his father Albert F. Pearson II, all of Marblehead, Massachusetts; his friend, Lynn Bello and landlord Mr. and Mrs. Bob Esty of Falmouth; and many friends met from celebrating 17 years of soberness with the help of the AA community of Greater Portland.
He is predeceased by his mother, Lillian Pearson, formerly of Marblehead, Massachusetts, and by his long time companion Mary Grant of Maine.
His family would love to thank Dr. Helen Ryan of Maine Center for Cancer, and each and every one of the nurses on the Gibson Pavilion of MMC, including his personal favorites, Sarah, Jackie, and Tay. Each day he said how wonderful all of the nurses who cared for him were.
His daughters would also like to give a heartfelt thanks to Theresa from the special care unit of MMC for guiding them with empathy through a difficult time. You are all incredible individuals.
Services will be private. Arrangements are by the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Albert’s memory may be made to Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, 26 W. Cole Rd., Biddeford, ME 04005; or AA of Portland, 78 Portland St., Portland, ME 04101.
John Stephen Gleason, III
August 1, 1943
January 28, 2008
John Stephen Gleason, III, 64, died peacefully January 28, 2008 at Mercy Hospital with his family by his side. He was born August 1, 1943 in Pasadena, California. Jack was the eldest son of John S. Gleason, Jr. and Mary Jane (Harrigan) Gleason.
He was a graduate of Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Illinois and the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana. After college, Jack served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and received two Purple Hearts. Following his military service, he attended and graduated with honors from the University of Illinois Law School. Jack began his legal career with Jenner & Block in Chicago, Illinois. Jack then accepted a federal clerkship with Judge Philip W. Tone. After the clerkship, he became a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Chicago. Jack and Charlene moved to Maine in 1977 and Jack became a state prosecutor in the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Maine, serving for a time as the Chief of the Criminal Division. Jack spent a few years in private practice before accepting a position in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maine. Jack practiced law in the United States Attorney's Office for many years, serving as a federal prosecutor and the First Assistant United States Attorney. Before retiring, Jack was the Resident Legal Advisor for the American Embassy in Tibilisi, Georgia. After his retirement from the Justice Department, Jack worked in Poland for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on an assignment to draft Hate Crimes legislation. Most recently, Jack acted as a mentor at the Long Creek Youth Development Center.
Surviving are his wife of forty years, Charlene; a daughter, Kathleen Gleason Healy of Cape Elizabeth; sons, John S. Gleason, IV of Arlington, Virginia, Timothy P. Gleason of Portland; brothers, Daniel Gleason and wife Mary Kay ofBurnsville, Minnesota, Richard Gleason and wife Mary of Evanston, Illinois, Thomas Gleason and wife Nicolette ofAtlanta, Georgia, David Gleason and wife Sandie of Berkley, California, and Martin Gleason of Evanston, Illinois; beloved grandchildren, Emily Harrigan Healy and Seamus Healy of Cape Elizabeth.
Visiting hours will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, February 3rd at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 4th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack's name to: Mercy at the Fore, Capital Campaign Fund, 144 State Street, Portland, ME. 04101.
Barbara C. Strand
February 22, 1920
January 30, 2008
PORTLAND - Barbara C. Strand passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her children. Barbara was born in Portland, Maine on February 22, 1920, the daughter of Charles and Marion Conneen Dugan. Barbara attended Portland schools, graduating from PHS in 1938. She married the love-of-her-life, Douglas Strand of Malden, MA, on October 12, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Church in Portland. With her growing family at home on Stevens Avenue, Barbara worked for various firms, ultimately retiring from the Osteopathic Hospital in 1988.
Barbara is pre-deceased by her husband Douglas Strand, daughter Susan Mazzoleni, son Thomas Strand and sister Marion Burke.
Barbara is survived by her daughter Julie Gerety of Portland, ME and her sons, Paul Strand of Portland, ME, John Strand of Adamstown, MD and Stephen Strand of Yarmouth, ME.; 6 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter and several nieces, nephews and cousins that considered her their mom, too.
The Strand family wishes to send their sincere appreciation of all those who helped Barbara live comfortably and pass away with dignity in her own home; forever: thank you! In lieu of flowers, any donations to VNA Home Health & Hospice of Maine, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, Maine 04106 will be greatly appreciated.
Visiting hours will be held from 7-9 P.M., Friday, February 1st at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited 10:15 A.M. at the funeral home. An 11:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
D. Mary Cruise
July 27, 1918
January 30, 2008
D. Mary Cruise, 89, of Portland died January 30, 2008 at Gorham House. She was born on July 27, 1918, a daughter of Walter J. and Annie VanZandt Siteman.
Mary was educated in local schools and was a 1936 graduate of Cathedral High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts at St. Joseph’s College. Mary taught English in public schools for 36 years. Her career included appointments at Jackman, Sabattus, Biddeford, Standish, and Mahoney Junior High in South Portland. During her 15 year tenure at Mahoney, Mary pioneered the development of a career education program and received her Master’s Degree at the University of Maine. She then retired in 1976.
Mary married John F. Cruise of Brockton, Massachusetts in 1946. Both were always very involved with Church activities. She was a long time parishioner of St. Joseph’s Parish in Portland and in recent years was a communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Throughout her long life, many, many people were the recipients of her generosity of spirit and her commitment to the giving of herself in a variety of ways. Whether it was to her large extended family of brothers and sisters and their spouses, or to the generations of children who came along, her quiet kindness and attentiveness to others’ well being are themes that have been written again and again in the lives of scores of family members.
Her deeply personal dedication to service to others extended far beyond family boundaries. Volunteering early on as a fund raiser for the newly expanding St. Joseph’s College, and later serving on its Board of Directors, and supporting the work of the Sisters of Charity in London, Kentucky (a religious community of which two of her sisters-in-law were members) are merely one page in the book of her abiding desire to do good things. Perhaps no other undertaking occupied her heart as much as the many years she served the residents of the Baron Center, sharing her love of literature with those who could no longer read; being present to some who had no one else, or during sing-a-long time, prompting every word to every song that had been even been written prior to 1950.
Mary was predeceased by her husband John in 1995; her brothers and sisters Margaret Wilson, Alice Macisso, Mabel Valente, Anna Blumenthal, Ruth McDonough, and Helen Neilson, George Siteman, Walter Siteman, Richard Siteman, Jeanne Clifford, and Elizabeth Siteman.
Mary is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews that will miss her very much.
Visiting hours will be held 4-7 P.M. Friday, February 1st at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A 9:00 A.M. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 2nd at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St., Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to: St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, 10 Locust Street, Portland, ME 04101, or to a charity of one’s choice.
John W. Murphy
May 24, 1915
January 16, 2008
John W. Murphy, 92, died January 16, 2008 in his Bradenton, Florida winter home. He was a loving husband and wonderful Dad who worked hard “to provide a better life for his children.” His true passion was the outdoors. He was an organic gardener long before it was popular. His children have loving memories digging clams, lobstering, fishing and gathering berries. John was born May 24, 1915 and was a lifetime resident of South Portland. He was retired for over 40 years from the Railway Express and St. Johnsbury Trucking where he drove long distance and managed various train stations.
Mr. Murphy was predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Mabel L. Murphy and grandson, Daniel Fenderson. Family members include William J. and Dot Murphy, Judith A. Murphy and George and June Murphy Phillips, five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; and wonderful neighbors of 58 years, Parker and Isabelle Williams.
A 1:00 p.m. memorial service will be held, Friday, February 1, 2008 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.
Kathleen "Kay" A. LeBrun
October 1, 1921
January 25, 2008
Kathleen “Kay” A. LeBrun died peacefully on Friday, January 25, at Saint Joseph’s Manor in Portland, where she had been for two weeks. She lived with inoperable cancer for two and a half years, gracefully and stoically through to her final days.
She was born in Van Buren on Oct. 1, 1921, the daughter of Homerine Keegan and Frederick Murphy. She was educated in the Van Buren schools, and after high school studied at the New York Institute of Dietetics, NYC. In 1946 she married Reno LeBrun, and they soon moved to Limestone where they lived for more than 40 years. Kay and her husband owned and operated the Star Theatre for 15 years and the Fairview Apartments for 24 years. She was also employed by Casco Northern Bank for 15 years.
Kay found running a theatre to be an interesting life, especially when it was the town’s primary entertainment center, and even while competing with the advent of TV. Television was not allowed in the LeBrun home in the early days, according to daughter Renee. Every year, Kay and her husband hosted the town’s annual Christmas party at the theatre, complete with Santa, goodies, and holiday matinees for the children and families.
She was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout mother, assisting with activities especially if they involved nature. She was an outdoor enthusiast like her husband, and together they enjoyed camping, hiking, boating, skiing, fishing and bird hunting. They took numerous trips to New Brunswick and Quebec in all seasons for wilderness outings and skiing. As a young woman, she once was Van Buren’s Winter Carnival Queen. When asked about it, she said she was crowned not for her beauty but because she out skied and skated the other girls. Her happiest times were spent with her children and relatives at the camp on Long Lake Thoroughfare in Sinclair and then the second camp at Long Lake-Van Buren. She especially loved swimming and, later in life when she had more time to visit family in Southern Maine and New Hampshire, her first priority was to go to the beach so she could swim in the ocean.
Upon retirement in 1987, Kay and her husband moved back to their hometown of Van Buren. There she enjoyed reading, playing canasta, poker, and scrabble with her sister and friends, and continued on the bowling league well into her seventies. She even took up painting lessons after the death of her husband, an artist in his own right. In 2003, she moved to Portland to be near her children.
She was a communicant of St. Louis Church in Limestone, St. Bruno-Remi in Van Buren, and St. Joseph’s in Portland.
Kay was predeceased by her husband Reno in 1987. She was also predeceased by her brother Russell Murphy in 2005. She is survived by daughter Andrea LeBrun Hall and husband Dick of Portland; daughter Renee LeBrun and partner Stephanie Lorigan of Portland; and son Jon LeBrun and wife Cheryl of Loudon, N.H.; two grandchildren, Kimberly LeBrun of Pittsfield, N.H., and Brian LeBrun and wife Stephanie of Manchester, N.H.; two step-grandchildren, Katharine Hall of Portland and Daniel Hall of Boston; a great-grandson Conner LeBrun of Manchester, N.H.; her sister Frances Morrow and husband Armand of Hamlin; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, January 28th at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. There will be visiting hours from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 29th at Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High Street, Van Buren, ME. An 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 30th at St. Bruno-Remi Church, 336 Main Street, Van Buren, ME. Interment
will be at St. Bruno Roman Catholic Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Frost Memorial Library, 42 Main St., Limestone, ME 04750, and A.J. Morneault Memorial Library, Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785.
Hazel M. Talbot
April 4, 1915
January 24, 2008
PORTLAND - Hazel M. Talbot, 92, of Portland, died peacefully in the presence of her family on January 24, 2008 at Maine Medical Center after a brief illness.
Hazel was born on April 4, 1915 in Portland, the daughter of Henry and Delia Cote. She was a graduate of Cathedral High School and continued her studies at Westbrook Junior College where she received her Nursing Assistant Degree.
She worked at the Jewish Home for the Aging and for a number of years she worked at the Canteen Co. in Portland. Hazel was also a volunteer at Brighton Medical Center.
Hazel had a zest for life and was blessed with an abundance of energy. Her faithful devotion to the Lord gave her strength and peace throughout the years. Hazel’s most treasured moments were spending time with her family members. She enjoyed going out to eat and was an avid shopper. Her enthusiasm and joy will be deeply missed by all.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, James A. Talbot.
Surviving are her daughter, Mary Ann and William Dule of East Lyme, CT.; son, Robert and his wife Dolores Talbot of Sarasota, FL; daughter Joyce Talbot of Kennebunk; son, James and wife Jane Talbot of Falmouth; daughter Lorraine and husband Timothy Sullivan of Westbrook; daughter Shirley and husband Claude Gaudet of Falmouth and daughter Deanna and husband Michael O’Brien of Saco. She proudly leaves behind 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend warm appreciation to the staff on R7 at Maine Medical Center for the superior care that was provided.
Visiting hours will be held from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, January 27th at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, January 28th at Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth.
Rev. Isabel Polk
September 18, 1939
January 23, 2008
ROCKLAND, MAINE - The Rev. Isabel Polk of Rockland, Maine died of cancer in Kittery, Maine on January 23, 2008 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 18, 1939 in Portland, Maine to Chester and Isabel (Murphy) Dykeman and graduated from Pennell Institute in Gray in 1957. Shortly after graduation she married William Fernstrom and had four beautiful children before the marriage ended in 1972. As a Navy wife she lived extensively on the West Coast, and as far west as Midway Island. Following her divorce, she returned to southern Maine with her family. In 1981 she married Edward Polk and later moved with him to Rockland where they owned and operated Coastal Tankers until their retirement.
In 2003, Isabel was ordained as a Deacon of the Episcopal Church in Maine and served as the deacon in St. Peter’s Church in Rockland. She also served as an on-call chaplain for Penobscot Bay Medical Center and Knox Center for Long Term Care. Her passion for the needs of those less fortunate and for women and children in need directed her outreach work. For many years she organized and ran the food kitchen in Rockland and loved working with the youth of the congregation.
Isabel is survived by her husband, Ed of Rockland, daughters Kathryn Fernstrom of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Barbara Reid and husband Stuart of Hampton Falls, NH, Adrianne Fernstrom of Heber City, UT, son, William Scott Fernstrom and his wife Jeannette of Buxton, ME, step-daughters Connie Polk of Girdwood, AK, Tammy Fasano and husband Steve of Providence, RI, and Holly Polk, Naples, ME. She also leaves brother Chester Dykeman, Buxton, ME and sisters Carole Trask and husband Ted of Congress, AZ and Margaret Desfosses and husband Phil of Portsmouth, NH. She will be missed by her fourteen beautiful grandsons and granddaughters, whom she loved very much, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents and her brother, David.
An 11:00 a.m. Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the life of Rev. Isabel Polk will be held Tuesday, January 29th at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 143 State Street, Portland. The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Bishop of Maine will be principle celebrant. Arrangements made by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Area Interfaith Outreach, P.O Box 113 Rockland, Me 04841 or to Voices from the Heart, PO Box 926, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
Betsy Jean Dolan
March 7, 1929
January 21, 2008
SOUTH PORTLAND – Betsy Jean Dolan, age 78, of South Portland, died Monday, January 21, 2008 in Scarborough after a brief illness.
She was born on March 7, 1929 in Livermore Falls, a daughter of James D. and Betsey Burkman Dolan. She attended South Portland Schools and was a graduate of South Portland High School, Class of 1948.
After high school, Miss Dolan worked as a cosmetic representative for Porteous, Mitchell, and Braun. At the age of 29, she moved to Boston where she worked as a secretary at Dewar Insurance Company. She came back to Portland 16 years ago.
Miss Dolan was a member of the Purpoodock Golf Club. She enjoyed playing bridge, bowling, and golf.
Miss Dolan is predeceased by her parents; and her brothers, James and Richard Dolan.
She is survived by her brother, Roger Dolan and his wife Frances of Cape Elizabeth; her twin sister, Beatrice J. Potenzo of Scarborough; and a niece and several nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Maine Medical Center and the staff of Gosnell House for the care and compassion provided to Betsy during her illness.
Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 pm on Friday, January 25 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 26. Interment
will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Betsy’s memory may be made to: Animal Refuge League, 449 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook, Maine 04092.
Margaret E. Campbell
January 20, 2008
PORTLAND - Margaret E. Campbell, 80, of 10 Congress Square, died Sunday January 20, 2008 at a local hospital following a long illness.
She was born in Portland the daughter of Harrison C. and Delia J. Clancy Crockett. Margaret attended North School and was a 1945 graduate of Portland High School.
Following high school, Margaret worked as a telephone operator. She later met and married her husband William George Campbell and began to raise a family.
She worked as a waitress at the Lafayette Hotel for several years.
Margaret enjoyed social outings at the American Legion. Her greatest pride and joy was her family. She was a loving and caring mother.
She was predeceased by her husband William in 1989 and eight brothers.
Survivors include five daughters, Karen Dominguez and her husband Antonio of Portland, Diana Gormley of Bullhead City, AZ, Donna Ramos and her husband Franco of Norfolk, VA, Kathryn Bugayong and her husband Beyer of Suisun, CA, Elizabeth Campbell of Portland; three sons, James Campbell of South Portland, Stephen Campbell of Portland, Patrick Campbell of Portland; a brother, Walter F. Crockett and his wife Ann of Scarborough; 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be held 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A 9:00 a.m. Saturday Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
