PORTER — Avis N. Day, 76, of Porter passed away on Sept. 17, 2011, peacefully at her home with her loving husband of 59 years and her children by her side.
She was born in Brownfield on Oct. 26, 1934, a loving daughter of Chester and Molly Douglas Day. She was educated in local schools and attended Fryeburg Academy.
Avis dedicated her life to raising her family and loved having large family gatherings. In addition to raising her five children, she also helped her husband raise Erma Day, Etta Day, Russell Day and Richard Day.
Avis loved working in her flower gardens and planted something special each spring. She also enjoyed cooking, shopping, reading and traveling. She had traveled to Canada, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Branson, Nashville, Hawaii, New York City, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Florida. She especially enjoyed her trips to Marco Island, Boothbay Harbor and Foxwoods Casino with her family.
Avis and her husband Bill spent every Saturday night dancing for many years. She always believed in helping others and never judged anyone. She always made sure her five children were treated equally from dividing up penny candy when they were young, to baking them each apple pies in the fall. As her family grew, her grandchildren also received those pies.
Avis was an 18-year survivor of breast cancer. She also suffered from a genetic disease of the lungs called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and was involved in a long-term study at Mercy Hospital in Portland.
Avis was a very special wife, Mom, Nana and Great Grammy and will always have a special place within the hearts of her loving family.
She was predeceased by her parents, Chester and Molly Day; sisters, Ruby Day, Arlene Day and Gloria Babb; brothers, Walter Day, Albert Day and Roger Day; and one granddaughter.
Surviving are her loving husband, William Day Sr. of Porter; four daughters, Laura Lovejoy of Parsonsfield, Jacqueline Grover of Porter, Deborah Reed of Denmark and Cynthia Deshaies of Porter; her son, William Day Jr. of Porter; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Bertha Miller of Fryeburg; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were on Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple Street, Cornish. A funeral was held at the funeral home on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. Burial followed at Stanley Cemetery in South Hiram.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Sacopee Rescue, PO Box 367, Parsonsfield, ME 04047.