PORTLAND — Antoinette (Ferrante) Gignac, 80, of Portland died on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, at Maine Medical Center.

Toni, as she was known, was born in Lettomanoppello, Italy on Nov. 11, 1929, the oldest of nine children of the late Carmine and Lauorina (DiPaolo) Ferrante. She arrived at Ellis Island when she was one year old and her parents settled at 34 Hammond Street. Toni had to leave school early to help support her siblings.

Toni worked for Standard Linen Laundry for 25 years before retiring.

Toni loved going to beano up until her stroke in 2005. She was an avid knitter and would make hats, scarves, and mittens for all her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was a true matriarch and loved spending as much time as possible with her family.

She is survived by her five children, Diane Tanerillo of Denmark, Philip Gignac of Portland, Anthony Gignac of Old Orchard Beach, Mary Louise Waterhouse of Portland and Edward Gignac of Bangor; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles Ferrante and Thomas Ferrante, both of Portland; four sisters, Lucy Maxwell and Maryann Maloney, both of Portland, Alvita Vecchione of Yarmouth and Concetta Lane of Portland; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her former husband Louis H. Gignac, Sr.; son Louis H. Gignac, Jr.; sister Arlene Sandora; and brother Santino Ferrante.

Visitation was held on Sunday, Oct. 17 at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. Prayers were recited on Monday, Oct. 18, at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland with Rev. Larry Conley celebrating. Interment followed in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Toni’s guest book.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to: Barron Center, 1145 Brighton Avenue. Portland, ME 04102.