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Mary F. Record
Mary F. Record, 84: Chronicled her daily living
PORTLAND – Mary Record wrote in her journal every day, chronicling what she saw, high and low temperatures of the day, who visited and if they went somewhere, and what she saw on trips. She wrote in her journals, sometimes spiral-bound and sometimes diaries she received as gifts, for more than 30 years. Her daughter, Evelyn Duff, said she has boxes of them to go through.
Record, 84, formerly of Cumberland, died March 10 at a Portland hospital, two weeks after a heart attack.
She was born in Portland, the daughter of Ernest F. and Hazel M. Holmes Allen. She worked at the American Can Co. from 1950-1973 before retiring.
Record admired Presidents Reagan and Bush. When the Bushes came to Maine for vacation, Record and her friends lined the street to greet them. “She admired them because they were family-oriented and were clean-cut. She liked how much Ronald Reagan loved his wife and was always with her,” Duff said.
Record didn’t care for President Clinton. “She wasn’t a prude, but she hoped our president would have controlled himself better,” Duff said.
“She was religious in her own way, but she didn’t force it on you. She felt many movies went too far, and she would have liked them better without all the swearing,” her daughter said.
Bingo was one of Record’s favorite pastimes, “even at the Barron Center, where they had prizes instead of money,” Duff said. Once, Record’s daughter Marilyn won a car and $5,000 playing bingo in Old Town.
“(Marilyn) called mom and rubbed it in,” Duff said.
Record also loved to play poker with her husband, son and friends. “They had jars of coins and had to set limits cause they’d get carried away,” Duff said.
At the family camp on Crystal Lake, Record liked “to watch the kids in the water and be a part of everything – the matriarch,” Duff said. Her family often visited Record at the Barron Center and took her to lunch. Record loved the Weathervane, Cole Farms and the Chick-A-Dee Restaurant on the Auburn-Turner line.
She also enjoyed seeing plays in Ogunquit. Record and her daughter would buy an extra ticket and invite a friend to go along.
Record had rheumatoid arthritis for 60 years. “The doctor said he didn’t know how she got out of bed. Sometimes you could see it in her face, but she was not a complainer,” Duff said.
Record loved when her grandchildren visited and made sure there were M&M candies to give them.
“She led a full life,” Duff said. “She was a nice person who made the best of everything.”
Record’s husband, George W. Record Jr., died in 1977. She was also predeceased by a daughter, Marilyn J. Pingree, in 1999.
She is survived by a daughter, Evelyn Duff of Cumberland; three sons, Richard E. of Portland, George W. III of Scarborough, and Charles T. of Casco; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and her sister-in-law, Ermaline Alexander of Bridgton.
Arrangements were by Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.
Donald G. Wheeler
Donald G. Wheeler, 70: Korean War vet, avid bowler
SCARBOROUGH – Donald G. Wheeler, 70, died March 6, in Cape Elizabeth following a lengthy illness.
He was born in Quincy, Mass., a son of Donald G. Wheeler Sr. and Helen E. Cyr Wheeler. Wheeler attended school in South Portland. During the Korean conflict, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines and was stationed in Puerto Rico and later in Inchon, Korea, where he was a lance corporal.
He was a truck driver throughout his life and most recently worked for Nelson & Small in Portland and Castle Kitchens in Scarborough, where he retired in 1990. He was a member of the American Legion and enjoyed bowling and had received numerous trophies throughout the years.
He is survived by his longtime companion, Dorothy L. Grover of Scarborough; sisters Elizabeth Nelson of North Carolina and Rosalie Wheeler of Florida; stepchildren James Grover of Westbrook, Betty Kontio of Hampden, Carol King of Smithfield and Ginny McGovern of Brewer; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland. A funeral with military honors was held at the Maine Veterans Memorial cemetery in Augusta.
Shirley Berry
Shirley Berry, 64: Sense of humor, sense of joy
FALMOUTH – Shirley Barry had a unique way of saying things, “with very short, but direct points,” her husband Leroy “Roy” Barry said. “She coupled that with a great sense of humor, and she had a lot of joy in her life.”
Barry, 64, died at Maine Medical Center in Portland on March 12 from esophageal cancer.
She was born in Portland, the only child of Donald Baker and Bethia (Hanson) Baker Bridges. She was a graduate of Deering High School. She worked as an administrative assistant to the president of Hanover Insurance Co. in Portland, and as a real estate agent for the Cosgrove Agency in Waterville.
Barry was very independent. After their children were grown, and due to her husband’s work, they moved 12 times in 26 years. They lived in seven homes. Barry was the general contractor for five of the homes.
“I would go do my work and she’d build a new home. She was very skilled at decorating. Our homes sold quickly because she had a great sense of style,” her husband said.
At their turn-of-the-century cottage on Long Island, Barry collected sea glass and walked on the beach. “She was a very private person,” who enjoyed her family and all the typical things you do during the summer, her husband said.
Barry was very perceptive and had a wealth of common sense. One of her favorite sayings was, “We have rules for fools, and guides for the wise,” Leroy Barry said. She was very positive and able to make friends and perform volunteer work wherever they lived.
The Barrys also traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. “We had a great life together,” her husband said. “We only had 26 years, but it was memorable.”
Survivors include her husband of Falmouth; a daughter, Debra L. Wallace and her husband, John S. of Cumberland; a son, Edwin L. Low and his wife, Jennifer of Falmouth; two stepdaughters, Charisse Barry Happe and her husband, Tom of Windham, and Nikki Barry and her fiance, Jonathan Hendricks of Gray; a stepson, Leroy J. Barry II and his wife Karen of Raymond; and six grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Conroy-Tully Crawford of South Portland.
S. Paul DiBiase
S. Paul DiBiase, 83: One of the best Dump Rangers
PORTLAND – All his life, Paul DiBiase loved baseball. In his youth, he was a member of the Dump Rangers, a group of neighborhood kids who played pick-up ball around the old dump at Marginal Way. As an adult, he was active for 30 years in Portland’s Recreational Softball League, winning the city championship in 1979. He coached the ITAMCO team, sponsored by the Italian American Community, for many years in Portland’s Little League. The ITAMCO team was the only one with a cheerleading squad, and DiBiase’s daughter was on it, and his sons played for the team. DiBiase was also an avid Red Sox fan. S. Paul “Papa” DiBiase, 83, of Oakley Street, died Aug. 21. He was born in Portland, a son of Bartholomew and Angelina DiFazio DiBiase. He attended Portland schools, and graduated from Portland High School in 1941. DiBiase was warehouse manager for the former Portland Cash & Carry for 32 years until his retirement. “His kids meant everything to him. I was honored and thrilled to have him (as a father-in-law) for 13 years. I loved him to pieces,” Theodore Brackett said. DiBiase was extremely hearing impaired his whole life. It wasn’t until later in life when hearing aids became sensitive that he could hear. Lip reading was taught when he was at Portland High School, and that is how DiBiase understood people. “He was just a very intelligent man,” Brackett said. “He was in the service and the whole nine yards (despite his impairment).” In World War II, DiBiase was in the military police in Kansas, guarding prisoners of war. DiBiase “was a real clown,” Brackett said. “In the Holy Name Society, he was the chairman of the annual show. They dressed like women. It was a hoot. He loved to make people laugh.” DiBiase was a communicant of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, where he was an honorary sergeant of arms for life of the Holy Name Society; a life member of Italian Heritage Center; a member of the Wholesale Manufacturing Association; a member of Paul Malia Post and Andrew’s Post American Legion, and a member the Woodford’s Club, Knight’s of the Road. He was predeceased by his wife, Amelia Delores (D’Agostino) DiBiase; brothers Donald, Louis, Richard and Samuel; and sisters, Cinderella, Josephine and Jeannette. He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Theodore (Carol) Brackett of Portland; two sons, John and his wife Sandy DiBiase of Scarborough, and Stephen and his wife Dawn DiBiase of Portland; and three grandchildren. Arrangements are by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland. Barbara W. Dana, 90 FALMOUTH – Barbara W. Dana, 90, formerly of Cumberland Foreside and Hingham, Mass., died Aug. 17 of cancer. She was the wi dow of the late Lawrence Dana. born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Charles Martin Wood and Florence Harrah Wood. She graduated from the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Vassar College. An avid athlete throughout her high school and college years, she played field hockey and squash at the collegiate and national levels. Dana was a lifelong loyal volunteer. She amassed thousands of volunteer hours at both the Massachusetts General Hospital and at Maine Medical Center, where she was also a corporator of the hospital for many years. Other organizations which benefited from her generosity are the American Red Cross, the Girl Scouts of America, the Audubon Society, the Portland Women’s Exchange, Victoria Mansion and St. Mary’s Garden Club. A firm believer in education for all ages, she was always on active and loyal supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s schools and colleges. She leaves her daughters, Barbara Greppin of Westwood, Mass., Deborah Callahan of Hingham, Mass., and Sarah Krug of Royal Oak, Mich.; her grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth. Arrangements are by Independent Death Care of Maine, Portland. William H. Harding Sr., 89 FALMOUTH – William H. Harding Sr., 89, died at his home on Aug. 19. He was born Oct. 18, 1915, in Merion, Pa., to Helen Bulmer and Edward E. Harding. He graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1934 and Yale University in 1938. Harding was a pole vaulting champion between 1936 and 1938 and qualified for the Olympic team. He then went on to receive his master’s degree at Harvard University. Following his education and marriage, Harding joined the banking industry in New York City. Afterward, he went to the Boeing Aeronautical School and worked for the Henry J. Kaiser Corp. in California. He served in the Merchant Marines until November of 1945. After World War II, he returned to the East Coast to teach history as a member of the Phillips Andover faculty. He joined the Pike School, Andover, Mass., as headmaster in 1956. During his tenure, Harding directed the purchase and construction of the current campus. He remained as head of school until his retirement. After retirement, he was the fixed base operator at Worcester Airport and interim director at the Worcester Historical Museum. He continued to pursue his other activities, including flying, tennis, skiing, and biking – putting 4,000 miles on his bicycle in the U.S. and Europe. In 1986, Harding moved to Falmouth, where he married his second wife, Alice Leonard. Harding was on the Vestry of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and was one of the founders of the Bowdoin Crew Team. He was an accomplished clarinet player with the Casco Bay Concert Band. He is survived by his wife, Alice, and children Margot (Harding) Comer and her husband, Gale, of Lincoln, Calif.; Virginia (Harding) Peck and her husband, Malcolm, of Jefferson; Robert Jablonski of Falmouth; Jeffrey Harding and his wife, Mary, of London, England, and Kristine Tomlinson, of Littleton, Mass.; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a brother, Edward E. Harding III, of Stuarts Draft, Va., and a sister, Isabel (Harding) Brown, of Staunton, Va. Harding was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara May (Stursberg) Harding, and a son, William H. Harding Jr. A service will be held Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Falmouth. Patricia M. Marston, 71 CUMBERLAND – Patricia M. Marston, 71, died at Maine Medical Center on Aug. 20. She was born on Sept. 7, 1933, in Portland, daughter of Richard S. and Birdena M. (Pickens) Moxcey. She attended Portland schools and graduated from Falmouth High School in 1951. She married Stanley R. Marston of Falmouth on March 8, 1952. She began her career early as a bookkeeper for L.E. Marston & Sons in Falmouth and later continued in support of her husband’s business, S.R. Marston Contractors of Falmouth, for more than 20 years. She and her husband owned and operated a small rope tow ski slope called Marston’s Hill, on Blackstrap Road in Falmouth during the 1960s, located beside Hurricane Ski Slope. Aside from support of her husband’s businesses, Marston was a homemaker and involved with Brownies and Girl Scouts. Marston was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed dancing, jigsaw puzzles, good movies, cards, games and relaxing poolside. She is survived by four daughters, Patricia Marston-Snow and her husband, Halsey, and Belinda Marston, both of Cumberland; Stephanie Roop and her husband, Martin, of Lewiston, and Tanya Marston of Portland; eight grandchildren’ a brother and sister, Robert Moxcey and wife Dottie of Crestview, Fla., and Marilyn Blaine and husband Richard of Long Beach, Miss.; mother-in-law, Violet Marston of Falmouth, many nieces and nephews, and her dog Lucky. Marston was predeceased by her husband of 39 years; brother Richard Moxcey of Gorham, and her parents. Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of her life on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. at 6 Amethyst Way, Falmouth.
Barbara W. Dana, 90
FALMOUTH – Barbara W. Dana, 90, formerly of Cumberland Foreside and Hingham, Mass., died Aug. 17 of cancer. She was the widow of the late Lawrence Dana. born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Charles Martin Wood and Florence Harrah Wood. She graduated from the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Vassar College. An avid athlete throughout her high school and college years, she played field hockey and squash at the collegiate and national levels. Dana was a lifelong loyal volunteer. She amassed thousands of volunteer hours at both the Massachusetts General Hospital and at Maine Medical Center, where she was also a corporator of the hospital for many years. Other organizations which benefited from her generosity are the American Red Cross, the Girl Scouts of America, the Audubon Society, the Portland Women’s Exchange, Victoria Mansion and St. Mary’s Garden Club. A firm believer in education for all ages, she was always on active and loyal supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s schools and colleges. She leaves her daughters, Barbara Greppin of Westwood, Mass., Deborah Callahan of Hingham, Mass., and Sarah Krug of Royal Oak, Mich.; her grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth. Arrangements are by Independent Death Care of Maine, Portland.
William H. Harding Sr., 89
FALMOUTH – William H. Harding Sr., 89, died at his home on Aug. 19. He was born Oct. 18, 1915, in Merion, Pa., to Helen Bulmer and Edward E. Harding. He graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1934 and Yale University in 1938. Harding was a pole vaulting champion between 1936 and 1938 and qualified for the Olympic team. He then went on to receive his master’s degree at Harvard University. Following his education and marriage, Harding joined the banking industry in New York City. Afterward, he went to the Boeing Aeronautical School and worked for the Henry J. Kaiser Corp. in California. He served in the Merchant Marines until November of 1945. After World War II, he returned to the East Coast to teach history as a member of the Phillips Andover faculty. He joined the Pike School, Andover, Mass., as headmaster in 1956. During his tenure, Harding directed the purchase and construction of the current campus. He remained as head of school until his retirement. After retirement, he was the fixed base operator at Worcester Airport and interim director at the Worcester Historical Museum. He continued to pursue his other activities, including flying, tennis, skiing, and biking – putting 4,000 miles on his bicycle in the U.S. and Europe. In 1986, Harding moved to Falmouth, where he married his second wife, Alice Leonard. Harding was on the Vestry of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and was one of the founders of the Bowdoin Crew Team. He was an accomplished clarinet player with the Casco Bay Concert Band. He is survived by his wife, Alice, and children Margot (Harding) Comer and her husband, Gale, of Lincoln, Calif.; Virginia (Harding) Peck and her husband, Malcolm, of Jefferson; Robert Jablonski of Falmouth; Jeffrey Harding and his wife, Mary, of London, England, and Kristine Tomlinson, of Littleton, Mass.; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a brother, Edward E. Harding III, of Stuarts Draft, Va., and a sister, Isabel (Harding) Brown, of Staunton, Va. Harding was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara May (Stursberg) Harding, and a son, William H. Harding Jr. A service will be held Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Falmouth.
Patricia M. Marston, 71
CUMBERLAND – Patricia M. Marston, 71, died at Maine Medical Center on Aug. 20. She was born on Sept. 7, 1933, in Portland, daughter of Richard S. and Birdena M. (Pickens) Moxcey. She attended Portland schools and graduated from Falmouth High School in 1951. She married Stanley R. Marston of Falmouth on March 8, 1952. She began her career early as a bookkeeper for L.E. Marston & Sons in Falmouth and later continued in support of her husband’s business, S.R. Marston Contractors of Falmouth, for more than 20 years. She and her husband owned and operated a small rope tow ski slope called Marston’s Hill, on Blackstrap Road in Falmouth during the 1960s, located beside Hurricane Ski Slope. Aside from support of her husband’s businesses, Marston was a homemaker and involved with Brownies and Girl Scouts. Marston was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed dancing, jigsaw puzzles, good movies, cards, games and relaxing poolside. She is survived by four daughters, Patricia Marston-Snow and her husband, Halsey, and Belinda Marston, both of Cumberland; Stephanie Roop and her husband, Martin, of Lewiston, and Tanya Marston of Portland; eight grandchildren’ a brother and sister, Robert Moxcey and wife Dottie of Crestview, Fla., and Marilyn Blaine and husband Richard of Long Beach, Miss.; mother-in-law, Violet Marston of Falmouth, many nieces and nephews, and her dog Lucky. Marston was predeceased by her husband of 39 years; brother Richard Moxcey of Gorham, and her parents. Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of her life on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. at 6 Amethyst Way, Falmouth.
Joan Marilyn (Myles) Thackeray, 68
SCARBOROUGH – Joan Marilyn (Myles) Thackeray, 68, died on Aug. 23 in Portland. Thackeray was born in Chelsea, Mass., the daughter of John A. and Laura C. Myles. She graduated in 1955 from Medford High School in Medford, Mass.Thackeray was a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron of Acacia Chapter, in Wilmington, Mass., and the Longfellow Chapter, in South Portland.She enjoyed camping with friends at Shawtown and Pine Knoll Campgrounds in New Hampshire. She also enjoyed candlepin bowling, participating in three morning leagues at Big 20 Lanes.She treasured any opportunity to interact with people, a trait she employed with great enthusiasm as a receptionist for Portland dentists Drs. Henry Pollard and Nathan Goff. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren, volunteering with Rainbow, DeMolay, Little League and Pop Warner cheering. Any activity they undertook brought her joy.Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Richard, of Scarborough; children Cheryl Hugill and husband Tom of Scarborough, Marilyn Thackeray of Andover, Mass., and Richard Thackeray Jr. and wife Carrie of Rockland; grandchildren, and her sister, Patricia Flower, of Maryland.Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, South Portland. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the funeral home.
Karla S. McCabe, 47: Kept Portland’s waterfront working
BRUNSWICK – Friends and co-workers describe Karla McCabe as “one tough cookie,” “a rare breed,” and in the words of the Rev. Lester York, “she was the type of outstanding individual who only comes along once in a great while.” McCabe, 47, died Dec. 5 at a Brunswick nursing facility, 3 1/2 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. McCabe’s service to the city of Portland was extensive. Her supervisor, Transportation Director Jeff Monroe, said “she was the grease that kept the gears going.” McCabe organized all the memorials, security activities and festival events on the waterfront. She went to the Brunswick Naval Air Station once a month to assist people making the transition out of the military, and she was the liaison with the U.S. Navy in coordinating visits of Navy ships to Portland. McCabe was also a member of Portland’s diversity training team. “Karla never glossed over anything,” Monroe said. “She called the shots as she saw them, and you appreciate that on the waterfront. People would call her if they were having a bad day, and she would lift them out of the dumps, even if she was having a bad day. She had remarkable strength. Everyone is stunned by her loss.” McCabe served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years as a chief petty officer. She worked in Iceland, Norfolk, Va., Pensacola, Fla., and eventually Brunswick. Randall Megow and McCabe were initiated as chief petty officers together in 1997. “There weren’t many days that we wouldn’t laugh about something,” Megow said. “She was awesome to work with. She had fun with whatever she was doing. Everyone loved her.” Phillip Phinney served with McCabe at the Air Operations Department at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, and he was with her when she died. “We were friends as well as co-workers, and she inspired me greatly with her chiefly wisdom,” he said. “She was organized, determined and had a great sense of humor.” York, of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, worked with McCabe on events in the city that concerned the parish. “You could call her and say you have a problem, and before you finished speaking, she had it solved with military precision,” he said. “She had an outstanding sense of humor. If I ever saw her upset about anything, her reaction was to be silent. If she couldn’t say something positive, she said precious little at all.” McCabe was born in Biloxi, Miss., the daughter of Stanley and Mary Ann VanWinkle. She was a graduate of Long Beach High School in Mississippi. She married Jack McCabe Sr. on April 27, 1985. He died on Oct. 1, 2004. She was also predeceased by her brother, Steven.Survivors include a son, Jack McCabe Jr., a daughter, Katherine McCabe, both of Brunswick; mother Mary VanWinkle of Mississippi; Karla’s companion, Rick; two sisters and two brothers, nieces and nephews. Arrangements were by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.
Madeline M. Cluff, 95
NORTH YARMOUTH – Madeline May Cluff loved to take care of babies, and she made her house a home. Cluff was a foster parent for 15 years, and many of those children kept in touch with her over the years. She was caring and concerned for everyone she knew and this was especially true when she received a letter from someone in the family letting her know how things were going. And she had a fondness for sweets – mostly Devil Dogs. Cluff, 95, died Dec. 6. She was born in Gilead, on June 25, 1910, a daughter of Garfield Williams and Izora (Caldwell) Williams. She was married to Arthur Cluff for more than 50 years. He worked on the Canadian
National Railroad from the time he was 18, and he died in 1979. She is survived by her six children, Dorothy Bundy and her husband Donald of Ariz., Gerald Cluff of Connecticut, Eva Hayes and her husband Roger of Cumberland, Jean Edgerly of Unity, Donald Cluff of North Yarmouth and Nancy LaSarge of Buxton; 12 grandchildren and a legacy of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth.
Margaret Dice, 81
BRUNSWICK – Margaret “Peggy” L. Dice, 81, died Dec. 9 of acute leukemia. She was born in Boston on April 2, 1924, and grew up in Andover, Mass. After graduating from Abbott Academy, she attended Smith College for a year, then transferred to the University of Michigan, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English in 1944. She married John Dice on March 1, 1944. After World War II, Dice taught freshman English to returning service men and women who were attending the University of Michigan on the GI bill. Peggy and John’s first child, a son, died at birth. In 1948 another son was born and three daughters followed in the next seven years.In 1959 the family moved back to Ann Arbor, Mich., where she lived in the house where her husband was raised. Dice founded and led a very active troop of senior Girl Scouts, which became one of the first co-ed troops in the country. She served on the board of directors of the area Girl Scout council for many years.Dice received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Michigan in 1973. She made three documentary films on boating and Maine fisheries, which have been shown frequently on Public Television and used in many schools.After retiring to Brunswick in 1985, Dice was a founding member of the Mid-Coast Jazz Society (now the Maine Jazz Alliance). Her interest in gourmet cooking led her to edit a cookbook of chocolate-based recipes called “Chocolate Arts.” Proceeds from the sale of the book are used to support the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath. She was an active camper, canoeist and bird watcher most of her life.She is survived by her husband of Brunswick; a son, Jack Dice of Stonington; three daughters, Meg Dice and her husband Jim Wheeler of Hyde Park, Utah, Elizabeth Dice of Salem, Mass. and Suzanne Dice-Goldberg and her husband Marc Duncan of Highland Park, N.J.; a brother, John D. C. Little; a sister, Frances L. Schonenberg; a granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. Arrangements were by Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.
Muriel J. Walsh, 87
FALMOUTH – Muriel Joan Walsh, 87, died Dec. 5 at her home with family by her side. Walsh was born in Augusta on May 29, 1918, the daughter of Fanning G. and Blanche (Dostie) Maloney of Portland. She was a graduate of Portland High School, Farmington Normal School, and she later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Maine in Farmington. Her teaching career spanned 33 years in elementary education, teaching in Oxford, Augusta, and Westbrook for 28 years and in Cohasset and Arlington, Mass., for five years. She retired from the Westbrook School System in 1974, having served there from 1963. Walsh and her husband of 56 years returned from Augusta to Portland in 1963, where they lived until they purchased a condominium in Falmouth Foreside. Walsh was a member of the Maine State Retired Teachers and Cumberland County Teachers Associations, and a former member of the Portland College Club. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, reading, home decorating and spending winter months in Florida with her husband, who passed away in March 2004. She is survived by a brother, Richard D. Maloney of Alfred; the widow of her deceased brother Francis, Katherine F. Maloney, nieces and nephews. Arrangements were by Jones, Rich, & Hutchins.
Darcy G. Wakefield, 35
CAPE ELIZABETH – Darcy Gammon Wakefield, 35, died from ALS on Dec. 10 at her home. She lived with the disease since her diagnosis in October 2003, at age 33. A native of Livermore, she attended local public schools until 1986; she graduated from the Waynflete School in Portland, in 1988. She then attended Bates College and Smith College, where she graduated in 1992. She earned her master’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1996, and her Master of Fine Arts from Emerson College in 2003. From August 1999 until January 2004, she taught English at Southern Maine Community College, where she enjoyed her students, colleagues, subject matter and work setting.Before getting ALS, she was extremely active, and loved walking, running, hiking and swimming. Throughout her life, she was a feminist, and firmly supported women’s right to choice. She also enjoyed hanging out with friends and family. Her interests included reading and writing, and her stories and essays appeared on Maine Public Radio and National Public Radio, and in numerous publications. She also wrote two books, “I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted - and ALS” and “No Flies on Bill.”After getting ALS, she was committed to raising ALS awareness. She hoped that awareness would lead to a cure. She is survived by her friends; her extended family; her maternal grandmother, Billie Gammon; her parents, John and Nancy Lee Wakefield; a sister, Betsy Wakefield, and brother Jonathan Wakefield; a beloved son, Sam; and her true love and partner, Dr. Steve Stout. Arrangements were by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.
Frances M. Bamford, 95
SOUTH PORTLAND – Frances M. Bamford, 95, was born Aug. 4, 1910, in Salem, Mass. She died Dec. 23 at a local hospital. Bamford volunteered at the Presumpscot School in Portland. She was the widow of the late Harry Bamford. Her parents, Frederick L. and Frances G. Cook, and a sister, Celina R. Cook Hamilton, preceded her in death. She is survived by a sister, Agnes H. Chantland of Portland; nephews; nieces; two step-children, Corille Bamford of West Buxton, and Dolores Amadio of Reeders, Penn.; and several step-grandchildren. There will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 6 at Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth. Arrangements are by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland.
Harold B. Sproul, 93
SOUTH PORTLAND – Harold Burnham Sproul died Dec. 23 at the nursing home where he had lived for the past five years. He was born May 10, 1912, in Westbrook, the son of Martha and James Sproul. He was the youngest of five children. Sproul grew up in Westbrook, where he ran errands for the Mechanic Street and Cumberland Mills firefighters. He also rode fire engines in the Memorial Day parades. He enjoyed daily visits to the downtown Westbrook retail community. Sproul lived with his brother Matthew until 1982. Then he lived in a boarding home run by Donna Graves in Buxton. Following that, he lived in Gorham for five years. His legal guardian for the past 23 years was his niece, Janice McDermott of Scarborough. Sproul leaves behind nephews James Sproul of Sunbury, Pa., and Donald Sproul of Old Orchard Beach, and nieces, Carolyn Austin of Standish, Phyllis Williams of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Janice McDermott of Scarborough. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland.
Alfred S. Brown, 78
SCARBOROUGH – Alfred S. Brown, 78, died Dec. 22 at his residence. He was born on Nov. 12, 1927 in Portland, a son of William and Mildred (Sterns) Brown, and attended Portland schools. During World War II, Brown served in the Army, fighting in the European Theatre of Operation. Following the war, Brown worked as a painter, and as a Portland firefighter for 13 years. He then worked for the Crosby-Laughlin division of the American Hoist & Derrick Co. for 28 years as a bridge tender at the Burnham & Morrill Bridge, and also for the railroad. He was a member of the Falmouth VFW, enjoyed playing cards, and was skilled at playing several musical instruments. In 1952, Brown married the former Marjorie Abramson. She predeceased him in 2003. Brown was also predeceased by a brother, Edward. He is survived by his children, daughters Cynthia Brown of Scarborough, Terri Prescott of Windham, and Andrea Knight and her husband Robert of North Yarmouth; sons Michael and his wife Janice of Old Orchard Beach, James and his wife Carilla of North Yarmouth, and Edward of Clinton; sisters Grace Farwell of Portland, Joy Villacci and her husband Jim of Strong, and Billie Herbert and her husband George of Portland; brothers Howard and his wife Marie of Falmouth, and William and his wife Ivy of Poland; a sister-in-law, Deloris Brown of Portland; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, South Portland.
Robert A. Peabody Sr., 76
BATH – Robert A. Peabody Sr. died Thursday, Dec. 22, at his home. Peabody was born in Lewiston on June 1, 1929. After moving to Bath in 1949, he was successful in business, an exceptional father, and a committed community leader. Peabody was recognized for his loyalty and commitment to the elderly in his community by a joint resolution of the Maine Senate and House of Representatives in 2001. He was also the recipient of the MidCoast Hospital Lovelight Tree 2000 Award. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bertha Lane Peabody; his three children, Robert Jr. of Rockland, Brenda Ricker of Bath and Raymond of Roswell, Ga.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and his brothers Ronald of Waldoboro and Merrill of Greene. Arrangements were by David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, Bath.
Nancy D. Redstone, 54
PORTLAND – Nancy D. Redstone, 54, died Dec. 21 at her home. Redstone was born June 4, 1951, in Portland, the daughter of Frank Cole and Clementine Crocker Morgan Jordan. She was a graduate of Deering High School, Class of 1969. She married Charles Redstone in 1969. She worked for 29 years as a day-care provider, and loved working with children. She served as a Girl Scout Leader for several years. More recently she worked at the Park Danforth Assisted Living Center as the activities director. Spending time with residents was one of her favorite things. She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, David Jordan; and sister, Beverly Lowell. Survivors include her husband, Charles Redstone of Portland; children Matthew Redstone of Portsmouth, N.H., Amy Redstone of Antioch, Tenn., and Benjamin Redstone of Turner; grandchildren Tyler Nicole, McKenna and Ian; brothers Rodney Jordan of Bethel, Doug Jordan of Buxton, Wayne Jordan of Woolwich, Stuart Jordan of Westbrook, Stuart Jordan of Westbrook, Linda LaBerge of Little Rock, Ark., and Timothy Jordan of West Suffield, Conn. Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.
