Obituaries from the week of 12/31/09

Mrs. Robinson was born in Lewiston, Maine, on July 25, 1937, to the late David Pettengill and Erna Elizabeth (Barrowclough) Field. She graduated from Bridgton High School and Farmington State Teachers’ College in Maine, and then launched a career of nearly 30 years as an elementary teacher.

In December 1959, she married Jimmie L. Robinson from Phillipsburg, Kansas, her husband of 49 years. They had two daughters, Cindy and Debby, and a son, Brad. Over the years Nancy and Jim also served as foster parents for seven children, including Chris and Scott who lived with the Robinsons in Oxford, Maine. In addition they hosted Kwame, an American Field Service (AFS) exchange student from Ghana.

Nancy was fun-loving, easy-going, adventurous, and an enthusiastic and gifted educator. She served as a fifth-grade teacher for nine years at the Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway. With her husband, she also had co-owned and operated The Village Store in Bryant Pond. Nancy gave her time generously to community causes; she was a 4-H leader and she volunteered with the American Legion in Oxford. She also taught Sunday school and served on the Ladies’ Guild at the Christ Episcopal Church in Norway. Nancy enjoyed traveling and spending time outdoors, especially camping, hiking, canoeing and kayaking. She and her husband spent the early years of retirement traveling in their RV, ultimately achieving their goal to visit all 50 states. In addition to living on the east coast in Maine, Florida and Pennsylvania, Nancy and Jim resided in the southwest for more than 20 years, in Arizona and New Mexico. The final three years of her life were spent in Maryland.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, and Jim Robinson passed away in January 2009. She is survived by daughters Cindy Robinson of Cheverly, Maryland, and Debby Williams of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and son-in-law Manuel; son Brad Robinson of Denver, Colorado, and daughter-in-law Marian; foster daughter Christine Dubeau of Southbridge, Massachusetts, and her husband Brian and their three daughters; foster son Scott Ring of Otisfield, Maine, and his wife Carla and their son; and AFS son Kwame Adom-Nkansah, of Silver Spring, Maryland. Nancy also leaves behind six grandchildren, a granddaughter-in-law, and two great-grandchildren. She is survived by her eight siblings, including brothers David Field of Dover, New Hampshire; Ernest and Paul Field of Bridgton, Maine; and Allan Field of Faber, Virginia; and sisters Virginia Denison and Elsa Hoover of Harrison, Maine; Barbara Keene of Anchorage, Alaska; and Catherine Roakes of Otisfield, Maine; as well as an extended family of in-laws and nieces and nephews.

A life celebration service will be held in Norway, Maine, in summer 2010 on a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to the National Parks Conservation Association, www.npca.org

He was born in Westbrook, the son of the late Leopold and Anne (Dee) Cote. He was raised from the age of six by his maternal grandparents, Edward and Elizabeth Dee. Philip retired as an Army Master Sergeant with over 23 years of service both active and reserve. He was also a retiree of the State of Maine, serving as custodian at Westbrook and Milk Street armories. His varied career included working as a dress cutter in Boston and the garment district of New York city; a route driver for Bond Bread; a bus driver for Portland Coach; animal control officer for the town of Gorham. Philip and his late brother, Howard “Jack” Cote, had their own bronzing business. Philip was a charter member of the Maine chapter Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was also a member of American Legion and the V.F.W. He enjoyed traveling, playing cards, shooting pool and pitching horseshoes. For 55 years, he was married to the late Yvette G. Cote.

He was also predeceased by two brothers, Leo and Howard; three sisters, Helen Adams, Dorothy McGovern, and Rosa Severance; a half brother, Earl; and a half sister, Elaine Wright. Most recently, Philip lost his daughter, Donna Ann St. Pierre of Casco.

He is survived by his devoted son, Philip Cote Jr. of Roswell, Ga.; two granddaughters, a grandson and four great-grandchildren; a grandson, Jason St. Pierre of South Casco; and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Blais & Hay Funeral Home. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth in the spring.

She was born in Portland on Aug. 19, 1925 at her home on Brackett Street, a daughter of Charles C. and Helen C. “Scott” Willey. Ruth graduated in 1942 from South Portland High School, where she played on the state championship basketball team. In 1964, she played in the Mothers vs. Daughters varsity basketball game at Bridgton High School and won. She went on to graduate from Westbrook Jr. College and University of Southern Maine with a degree in Psychology in 1972. Ruth worked for the Veterans’ Administration in Washington, D.C. during WWII.

In later years, she worked at Bridgton Academy and as a legal secretary for Judge Corless. She was a member of the Bridgton Historical Society, the First Congregational Church, UCC and president of the Bridgton Literary Club. Ruth was a successful fundraiser for the Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival.

She was predeceased by her husband Ray T. McDonald, Jr. in 1985; two brothers, Charles C. Willey, Jr. in 1956 and David G. Willey in 2007.

Surviving are two daughters, Carolyn S. McDonald of Maryland and Susan L. McDonald; her brother Gordon R. Willey; six nieces and nephews. A private service will be held in the spring. Donations may be made in her memory to: Beacon Hospice, Inc., 55 Lisbon St., Lewiston, ME 04240. Online condolences may be left at hallfunera

He was the husband of the late June (Devlin) Kent and the companion of Dottie Watson. 

A lifelong resident, he was born in East Providence, R.I., the son of the late I. Elmer and Wilma (Devlin) Kent. He worked at Pratt Whitney Aircraft Co. until joining the Navy in 1942 serving on the USS Essex. After the war, he returned to Pratt Whitney until joining the East Providence Fire Department in 1949. After serving in every department, he retired as assistant fire chief in 1979. He was then the plant electrician for the CJ Fox Co., retiring in 1983. A pilot, he a member of The Omnibirds Inc., was a former Scout Master of Troop 1 in Rumford. He was a former director of The Providence Plantation Navy League and a liaison officer for the Navel Sea Cadets. He served on the Conservation Commission of East Providence and was a trustee of the East Providence Police and Fire Retirees Association. He was a 50-year member of Newman Congregational Church in Rumford. Mr. Kent was an avid hunter and outdoor person owning a camp in Denmark. After his retirement, Mr. Kent and his wife participated in the initial training of guide dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. He and his wife, also a pilot, enjoyed many vacations flying to their camp in Maine and around the country.  

He leaves a son Jonathan Barton Kent of Crescent City, Calif.; two daughters, Leslie Schermerhorn of New York and April Valliere of Wakefield, R.I.

He was also the brother of the late Ethel Browning. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Newman Congregational Church, 100 Newman Avenue, Rumford. Calling hours are in the Smith-Mason Funeral Home, 398 Willett Avenue Riverside on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the East Providence Fire and Police Retirees Assoc., the East Providence Library or the Denmark Library. Visit smithmason.com for information and online condolences.

She was born in Limington on Nov. 13, 1929, the daughter of Edwin and Freda Thorne Meserve. She attended local schools and was a graduate of Standish High School. She worked briefly at Cornwall Industries in East Baldwin, but most importantly was a devoted homemaker her entire life. She was a member of the Steep Falls Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and was a Sunday School Teacher. Amongst her many hobbies included ceramics, and she had a great interest in astrology.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a son, James E. “Skip” Spaulding III; and a grandson.

Surviving are her beloved husband, Loring C. Morrell of Steep Falls; three daughters, Kathleen “Roxanne” Robertson of Limington, Vineta Webber of Waterville and Deanna Martin of Limington; two sons, Clay Morrell of Limington and Scott Morrell of Sebago; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

There will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held in the spring. Arrangements by Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish.

Born in Phoenix, Ariz., on Aug. 17, 1965, she was raised and educated there. For the past eight years, she has been employed by Hannaford Brothers, most recently at the North Windham store. She enjoyed working around her yard and landscaping, and loved boating on Sebago Lake with her husband and daughter.

She leaves her husband, Randy Compton; a daughter, Clarisa Quihuis; and family in Arizona.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at the Sebago Center Community Church, 403 Bridgton Rd., (Route 107), Sebago. Arrangements are by the Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham.

Sharon was born on April 11, 1945, in Portland. She is the eldest child of Robert and Eleanor (Fogg) Hauser. As the oldest of six siblings, she helped with all the children. Sharon graduated from South Portland High School in 1963. She married William Littlefield on May 22, 1966. They lived in South Portland for many years and raised two children. She was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She worked for 16 years delivering truck parts for several dealers in the greater Portland area. Sharon loved to cook and was always on the lookout for a new recipe to try. Everyone always looked forward to her homemade cooking whenever there was an event to be had. She enjoyed traveling and bingo, but most of all loved to laugh and spend time with family. She was also known for her beautiful fingernails that she was always looking for new colors for. She was also a great lover of animals and was always sending her daughter out to buy more food to feed them. She always put others first and was a good listener and gave advice when needed.

She was predeceased by her mother, Eleanor Hauser; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Fogg.

She is survived by and sadly missed by her husband, William Littlefield of Gorham; daughter Anissa Littlefield of Gorham, son Derik Littlefield of South Portland; a granddaughter; sisters Lorene Hebert of Naples and Alayne Grover of Limington; brothers Robert Hauser II of South China, Lawrence Hauser of Standish and David Hauser of Scarborough; father Robert Hauser of Gorham; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.

Visiting hours were Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. A family graveside service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The American Lung Association, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330 or Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Rte. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074 or Animal Refugee League, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.

She was born in Connor on Dec. 23, 1935, the daughter of Dominick and Yvonne (Safacon) Fournier. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Old Orchard Beach, where she grew up. Shirley worked at the former Saxe-Glassman Shoe Factory in Saco. It was while working there in 1955 that she met the love of her life, Raymond F. Card Sr., who was working as a traveling mechanic. They were married on Oct. 26, 1957, and enjoyed 52 wonderful years of marriage. Shirley then worked as a stitcher in the former Herman Shoe Factory for over 20 years. After leaving Herman Shoe, Shirley became a waitress and worked at the former Governor’s Restaurant (formerly Donnaly’s) in Westbrook. She loved to waitress, and it was here that she made many acquaintances among her customers, many of whom would ask for her by name when dining. Shirley’s proudest accomplishment was her family. Her family was of paramount importance to her. She kept an immaculate house; her children jokingly revealed that none of them knew how to make a bed. Shirley did it all. She was a talented cook and baker. Sunday dinner with all the family present was her passion and joy. She taught Raymond to be an excellent cook, a job that he took over from her when her health began to decline. Shirley loved to serve her family and friends. She always made sure others were taken care of before herself. It was this determined attitude that allowed her to aggressively battle her illness. When doctors gave her a very short time to live almost five years ago, she proved them wrong. She possessed a quick wit, and had a ready smile for everyone. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. She looked forward to the season with all its trimmings and décor. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, crafts, and baking. She was also a bingo fanatic, and enjoyed playing at many different venues.

She was predeceased by a son, Robert Allen Card in 1991; and a grandson.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Raymond F. Card Sr. of Scarborough; three sons, Douglas P. Card of Old Orchard Beach, Raymond F. Card Jr. of Westbrook and Charles W. Card of Windham; four daughters, Linda Ray Pierce of Lyman, Deborah Ann McGarey of Wells, Sherry Ann Piper of Raymond and Cindy Lee Ralston of Scarborough; her brother, Joe Fournier of New Britain, Conn.; four sisters, Bernice Taylor of Springfield, Mass., Pearl Binnette of Biddeford, Theresa Krasko of Greenland, N.H. and Gloria Hanson of Biddeford; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

At Shirley’s request, the family is honoring her wishes that there be no services. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, www.bibberfuneral.com. If desired, memorial donations in her memory may be made to: The American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330.