Ann Gamwell

EAST FRYEBURG — Ann M. Gamwell, 61, loving wife, mother and sister, died at home surrounded by her family on April 13, 2016, after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Ann was born on Dec. 19, 1954, to Adolph and Jane Carreiro. She grew up by the ocean in Portsmouth, R.I., with her three siblings, and attributed some of her fondest memories to visiting her Aunt Mary and Uncle George, caretakers at the Green Animals Topiary Garden, which was originally planted and designed by her grandfather, Joseph Carreiro.

Ann attended local schools and graduated from De LaSalle High School in Newport in 1973, followed by Dean Junior College in Franklin, Mass., where she met Scott, her soulmate for the next 43 years. They were married at the topiary garden on June 14, 1980.

She received her nursing degree from Salvae Regina College in Newport, and worked at Rhode Island Hospital on the pediatric floor until moving to Mystic, Conn. Following her move, Ann suspended her nursing career to devote herself to raising her three daughters, time she considered a great privilege to have.

The family moved to Maine in 1985, and for the next 30 years they enjoyed life in their old farmhouse, Sweet Meadow Farm in East Fryeburg, where Ann continued her family’s long-standing tradition of passionately planting and cultivating anything that bloomed. She was also an artist and enjoyed spending time with her daughters and friends, creating embroideries, quilts and ceramics.

Ann is survived by her husband Scott; her daughters Melissa, Tara and Anna; and her siblings Joel, Peter and Ellen.

In lieu of sending flowers or donations please spend some time with your family in the great outdoors, or plant some flowers in your garden in memory of Ann. Some of her favorites are pansies, lilies, sunflowers and iris.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of the Wood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Warren St., Fryeburg. Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Ann’s family at www.woodfuneralhome.org