Month: January 2014

Auburn, ME – Alyce H. Clifford, 85, of State College, PA, previously of Bridgton, ME and Pelham Manor, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at the Auburn Hospice House.

Alyce was the daughter of the late William and Myrtle (Mischka) Cousins and grew up in Cleveland, OH. At the age of eighteen, Alyce moved to New York City to pursue a career as a photographic model with the Ford Modeling Agency. She was one of the first to model the high fashions that came out of Paris after WWII. Alyce also pioneered “runway” modeling and taught at the Vogue School of Modeling.

In 1958, she married William M. Clifford who preceded her in death in January 2013. They raised four children in Pelham Manor, NY and then they retired to their lake house on Moose Pond in Bridgton, ME. There she discovered a talent for photography from the other side of the camera lens.” Her stunning scenic images of Maine and other parts of the world encountered on her travels with her husband Bill were exhibited and sold in several galleries throughout Maine.

Alyce is survived by her four children, Cathey (Stephen) Taft of White Plains, NY, Kim McMahon of Oxford, ME, Patricia (Micah) Barbash of State College, PA and William M. Clifford Jr. of Seymour, CT. She is also survived by her adored grandchildren; Shad Clifford, Jessica McMahon, Erin Colby, Holly Vroom Villanueva, Capt. Joshua Taft, Matthew Taft, Emily, Caroline, William III, Mary Clifford and Daniel Barbash. She also leaves six adoring great grandchildren; Herizen Clifford, Jesse Vessel, Martin, Seff and Valentino Villanueva and Christopher Mas.

The family will be celebrating their life with Alyce at a private memorial service.

Please visit www.advantage Portland.com to sign Alyce’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

South Portland, ME — Eleanor Wise Dow (97) died January 20 in her home (known simply as “five-ninety” and enjoyed for almost 60 years) on Highland Avenue where she has been lovingly cared for by her daughter Barbara Dow Nucci. The family is grateful for the expert and compassionate assistance of VNA Home Health and Hospice of Southern Maine, especially that of CNA Shelley Cochrane, and for the tender, devoted care from Donna Tracy and Elleza Helmen of Home Helpers of Southern Maine.

Eleanor was born May 6, 1916, in Gardiner, Maine, to Frank A. and Anna McNally Wise. She was the first child, followed by four siblings: Frank A. Wise, Jr., Marion Wise Colcord, Virginia Wise Cross, and Elizabeth Wise Hersom, all of whom predeceased her. The Wise home was a happy gathering place for all their friends, especially on Saturday nights when Anna’s famous baked beans (always Jacob’s Cattle) were served with hot baking powder biscuits. Throughout the years, the Wise siblings, their spouses and children gathered very often for impromptu parties and general hilarity.

As a young girl, Eleanor loved sports, dancing, music, and theater. She graduated from Gardiner High School in 1933 and Gorham Normal School in 1935. Her first teaching job at the age of 19 was in the small town of Clinton, Maine. She later taught in Gardiner, then in South Portland at the Boys’ Training Center and at Redbank School, where her success at teaching children to read was considered extraordinary. Eleanor retired in 1979 after more than 20 years of teaching.

In 1941 Eleanor married Richard Whitmore Dow of Augusta, Maine. They made their first home in Winthrop, MA, and then returned to Maine after WWII to settle in South Portland, first in Sunset Park and eventually moving to Highland Avenue. Eleanor was a Girl Scout leader and an active communicant of St. Luke’s Cathedral. Two of their three children, Richard W. Dow, Jr., and Margaret Dow LaBella, predeceased them, in 1974 and 1995, respectively. In 1976, Eleanor and Dick were among the first volunteers for Hospice of Maine.

Eleanor and Dick were enthusiastic travelers and toured many different countries in the Americas and in Europe, especially Italy (29 times for Eleanor!) to visit their daughter Barbara and her family. They were committed and involved grandparents to six grandchildren: Domenico and Enrico Nucci of Naples, Italy; Andrea Nucci of Geneva, Switzerland; Caroline Eleanor, John Richard, and Michael Charles LaBella, all of Massachusetts. Eleanor is also survived by two great-granddaughters, Valentina and Eleonora Nucci, by a granddaughter-in-law, Cristina Sichel Nucci, all of Geneva, Switzerland, by two sons-in-law, Giovanni Nucci of Naples, Italy, and Charles LaBella of Amesbury, Massachusetts, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Eleanor was a very social person who loved people and made new friends well into her tenth decade. At ninety and legally blind, she would walk by herself from her home to the corner of Broadway and Evans to join a group for Sunday breakfast. Her enthusiasm for life and any adventures it offered were well known. Eleanor had many interests, among them bridge, golf, reading, gardening, handicrafts, and baking sweets. She was renowned for her warm, generous hospitality, and her door was always open to family and friends, old and new. Her listening ear was ever accepting and encouraging. She saw the best in everyone and provided support to all in need. Eleanor will be deeply missed by many and her example of how to live joyfully will continue to inspire.

When Eleanor’s descendants gather in Maine in summer, there will be a committal service at Brooklawn Memorial Park. As she wished, donations may be made in her memory to VNA Home Health and Hospice of Southern Maine, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME 04106.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Eleanor’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

Auburn- Paul R. Mathon 72, of Mechanic Falls, was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, and friend. He passed Saturday January 18, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born in Lewiston on January 31, 1941 a son of the late Ernest and Bernadette Mathon. He is survived by his wife Marie Ange E. Mathon and his five children: William Mathon and wife Sue of Raymond, David Mathon of Auburn, Debbie Mathon of S. Paris, Tammy (Mathon) Lasko and husband Mike of Auburn and John Mathon and wife Melissa of Lewiston.

He enjoyed spending time with his 8 grandchildren, 7 grandsons and one granddaughter. He, and his granddaughter Mariah Mathon shared a special hand wave. He is also survived by two siblings Rita Mathon of Farmington and Roger Mathon of Lewiston and many nieces and nephews.

Paul lived a dedicated life as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He worked at Hahnel Bros roofing in Lewiston and then worked and retired as a city bus driver of over 30 years in the Auburn/Lewiston area. He enjoyed reading, making puzzles, playing cards with his wife. He loved playing pool with family and friends. We will miss you and always love you forever.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave. Portland, ME. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Paul’s guestbook and leave condolences for the family.

FUNERAL NOTICE-

Mathon, Paul R. 72 of Mechanic Falls died in Auburn on Jan. 18. A Memorial Service will be Celebrated on Saturday Jan. 25 at 1 Pm at Kingdom Hall, 2256 Hotel Rd Auburn, ME 04210.

Cape Elizabeth – Joanna Masakowski, 87, passed away on January 11, 2014, after a long battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.   She was born Giovanna Callegari in Washington, D.C. on June 6, 1926, to the late Domenico Callegari and his wife Rosa Partel Callegari, both emigrants from northern Italy.  Domenico, a well-known hotel chef, bequeathed to Jo his “secret” recipes for gnocchi, spaghetti sauce, and seafood antipasto.  Jo graduated in 1944 from Central High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council, President of the Officers’ Club, and earned a letter in hockey.  

After graduation, Jo worked as a teller at Riggs National Bank.  There she met Michael S. Masakowski, her husband of 66 years.  Together they raised three daughters in Garrett Park, MD. They moved to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, in 2006, where they were parishioners at St. Bartholomew’s. 

Jo will be remembered as a warm, devoted mother and grandmother, and a voracious reader with a keen interest in politics, nutrition, and physical fitness.  She biked, swam, and practiced yoga for much of her adult life, and walked several miles daily well into her eighties.  

In addition to her parents, Jo was predeceased by her sister Adele Camana and her son-in-law Thaddeus Kowalski.  She is survived by her husband Michael, her sister Francesca, her daughters Stephanie Luken, Lisa Kowalski, and Victoria Masakowski, sons-in-law David Luken and Roger Inhorn, and 5 grandchildren: Margaret Kowalski, and Emma, Joseph, Anthony, and Vincent Inhorn.

Memorial services will be in the spring. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jo’s name to the Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, #1, Scarborough, ME 04074, or email donate@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.   

We would like to thank the staffs of Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, Cape Elizabeth Dental Associates, CVS Pond Cove Pharmacy, and Shaw’s Mill Creek for their many kindnesses to Jo and Mike over the past few years, and the Hospice of Southern Maine for their extraordinary and compassionate end-of-life care.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Joanna’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

Auburn, ME – Mary A. (Quirion) O’Bryan, 98, of Auburn died on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at the Auburn Hospice House. She was born in Brewer, ME a daughter of the late Joseph & Clarisse (King) Quirion.

Mary was a past member of the Maine State Golf Association and local Bridge Clubs in both Florida and Maine.

She enjoyed playing golf as well as cribbage and bridge, which she did well into her 90’s. She spent her winters in Clearwater, FL for over 30 years at the Beachway Mobile Park.

She is survived by her daughter Sally and her son Gerry Raymond of Fairfield as well as six grandchildren Greg, Gisele, Glenn, Ginger, Kim and Heather and nine great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St Philips Church, 2365 Turner Road, Auburn, ME with Rev. Robert D. Lariviere celebrating.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Mary’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory can be made to:

Salvation Army

67 Park Street

Lewiston, ME 04240

Scarborough, ME – Beverly L. (Graffam) Sloat, 86, of Cumberland died on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. She was the wife of the late Arthur H. Sloat who died on April 17, 1981.

She was born on May 20, 1927, a daughter of the late Phillip & May (White) Graffam and was raised by her father and her step-mother Laurie (Holmes) Graffam. She graduated from Windham High School in 1946 and was married to Arthur two weeks after graduation.

After raising her children Bev went to work for the former Pineland Hospital in Pownal, before retiring in 1987.

Bev always kept herself busy as she was a member and officer for The Rebbekah’s in Westbrook, holding the office of Past Noble Grand. She was also a member for several American Legion Auxiliary’s and was very active with the Lunn-Hunnewell AMVETS Post #6 Woman’s Auxiliary out of New Gloucester.

She also volunteered her time at the VA Hospital in Togus, the Scarborough Veteran’s Home, Sweetser’s Home in Saco and the she also enjoyed traveling and had been to most of the 50 States. She was very fond of Hawaii and Florida and also traveled to Germany and Ireland. She also loved to dance, especially the Polka.

She is survived by her daughter Carolyn L. Sloat of Cumberland and her son Barry Sloat and his wife Colleen of Raymond. She also leaves her two grandchildren Adam Sloat of South Portland and Michelle Coyne and her husband Michael of Gorham as well as her honorary granddaughters Amanda (Sutton) Holmen and Elizabeth Sutton and two great grandsons Ryan and Cory Coyne of Gorham. She will also be sadly missed by her beloved cat “Gilda”. She was also the sister of the late Philip Graffam.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the West Cumberland United Methodist Church, 5 Upper Methodist Road, Cumberland, ME, with Pastor Geoffrey Gross officiating.

Burial in the West Cumberland United Methodist Cemetery will take place in the spring.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Bev’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

Donations in Beverly’s memory can be made to:

Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART)

302 Range Road

Cumberland, ME 04021

or

Cumberland Food Pantry

290 Tuttle Road

Cumberland, ME 04021

Westbrook, ME – George H. White, Sr., 55, of Westbrook died on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at his home.

He was born on August, 26, 1958 a son of George W. White Jr. of Harmony, ME and Vera (Carr) Barry of New Gloucester, ME. George grew up in the Gray/New Gloucester and attended local area schools.

George was a master of all trades; he was a mechanic by trade but also worked building and painting homes, as a lobsterman and fisherman, while which he also worked in the marina on the boats.

He will be remembered as a thoughtful and helpful man who would do anything for anyone. The neighborhood will be without their go to handyman.

Besides his parents he is survived by his Paternal Grandfather George W. Smith Sr. of Harmony, his two Daughters Amanda White of Cannon, ME and Brittany White of Westbrook, ME, his Son George H. White Jr. of Cannon, ME and his Step Daughter Christina Clark of Biddeford as well as his former Wife Cheryl L. White of Westbrook, ME.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Wilde Memorial Chapel in Evergreen Cemetery, 672 Stevens Ave., Portland. A Funeral Service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Chapel, with Pastor G. L. Wilkins officiating.

Burial will be private and at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign George’s guestbook and leave condolences for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations to help with George’s final expenses can be made to:

Cheryl L. White

14 River Street Apt. #4

Westbrook, ME 04092

Lewiston, ME – Bonnie Jane (Green) Thompson, 55, of Canton, ME died on December 30, 2013 at Saint Mary’s Hospital.  She was the wife of Gerald O. Thompson. 

She was born on May 4, 1958 in Portland, ME, a daughter of the late Chester E. & Gloria A. (Stanley) Green.  

Besides her husband, Bonnie is survived by her Sisters Deborah Pullen and Shirley Johnson and her Brothers Chester E. Green Jr., Charles Green and Henry W. Green.  She was also the Mother of the late son William “Billy” Thompson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Maine Veterans Cemetery Chapel, 163 Mount Vernon Road, Augusta.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland.  Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Bonnie’s guest book and to leave condolences for the family.