OBITUARIES for Thursday, April 17, 2025

TINA L. EMERY

CORNVILLE – Tina Louise Emery passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Tina was known for her peaceful, caring, easy-going nature, and her great sense of humor. Her loving presence was a source of comfort to many, and wherever there was a peace sign, you could be sure Tina was behind it. She loved cooking, fishing, attending concerts, enjoying the outdoors, and a large hot coffee with eight sugars (stirred), but most of all, she cherished spending time with her family, friends, and beloved animals.

Tina graduated from Kennebec Valley Community College in 1998 as a registered nurse. Throughout her career, she wore many hats in the nursing field, but her true passion was working in the operating room and providing compassionate care to her patients.

Tina is survived by her husband of 16 years, Richard Emery of Cornville; her children, Todd Labelle and wife Grace, Tori Dyer, Alyssa Worster and husband Robert, and Richard W. Emery and fiancée Kimberly Fiske; half-brother Sean Jewell; her grandsons, Miles and Colby.

A family gathering to celebrate Tina’s life will be held later this spring. Details will be shared with friends and family.

JAMES E. THIBODEAU

WATERVILLE – James E. Thibodeau, 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Woodlands Senior Living, in Waterville. Jimmy was born in Waterville on December 23, 1941, the son of Arthur and Eva (St. Armand) Thibodeau.

He was a graduate of Waterville High School, class of 1960. After high school Jimmy attended Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine, graduating class of 1964.

Jimmy spent several years shipping all over the world with the Merchant Marines. He spent his free time hunting, skiing, and attending local sporting events. Many hours were spent fishing, which was Jimmy’s true passion along with tying flies. He helped establish the Kennebec Valley Trouts Unlimited. After retiring, he became a flyfishing guide in Maine and Montana.

He was predeceased by both his parents; his sister Carmen, and his brothers Robert, Richard, and John.

Jimmy is survived by his brother, Bernard with his wife Patty, of Waterville; as well as many nieces, and nephews.

At Jimmy’s request, there will be no visitation or service, as the family will celebrate his life in a private ceremony.

Please visit Jimmy’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/jimmy-thibodeau-mar-2025 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

CAROLYN J. DOW

CHINA – Carolyn J. Dow, 94, of China, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Lakewood Continuing Care, in Waterville. Born on February 1, 1931, in China, to the late Thomas and Marie (Bumps) James, she graduated in 1948 from Erskine Academy, in South China, and later Thomas College, in Waterville.

Having married Roy M. Dow Jr., of Vassalboro, in 1950, they enjoyed 65 years of marriage before his passing in May 2016. She and her husband built the China General Store and operated it for 12 years. They enjoyed many years traveling to northern Maine for fishing and hunting along with spending summers in Pemaquid boating and camping with friends.

Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, her in-laws Roy M. Dow Sr., and Natalie (Monk) Dow, her grandson Jonathan White, and her son-in-law Gene Pierce.

Surviving are her children, Laura Pierce, of China, Susan White and husband Carrol ,of China, James Dow and wife Crystal, of China, Jane Glidden and husband Rodny, of Palermo, and Roberta Dionne and husband Scott, of China; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her sister Linda Lawrence and husband Robert, of Clinton; niece Gretchen Knowlton; and nephews Ray and Roy Lawrence.

Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page at http://www.directcremationofmaine.com.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the China Village Cemetery Extension, 148 Neck Road, China.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lakewood Continuing Care Activities Program, 220 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901.

RANDOLPH G. NADEAU

SKOWHEGAN – Randolph G. “Randy” Nadeau, was born May 3, 1963, to Byron Randolph Nadeau and Muriel (Withee) Nadeau. Randolph graduated from Madison Memorial High School in 1981. Randy enlisted in the U.S. Army.

After the Army Randy went on to get his CDL license and worked as a truck driver. He cared deeply for his friends and family.

Services took place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Daystar Chapel, at 574 Lakewood Road, Madison. A full obituary can be read and messages left on http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.

WARREN LIBURT

JEFFERSON – Warren Liburt, 95, of Jefferson, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. He was born March 8, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, was raised in Huntington, New York, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Liburt.

Warren was a top academic student at Huntington High School and a star tennis player. He graduated from Columbia University in 1950 where he was a key player on the varsity tennis team. Graduating from Columbia University Law school in 1953, he completed a year’s long clerkship with the Surrogate Judge of Suffolk County, with whom he had interned during law school. He subsequently enlisted in the United States Army; after completing basic training he served with distinction in the Judge Advocate General Corps.

After being discharged from the Army, Warren established a private practice, embracing a good deal of pro bono work and participating in Rotary and the Young Republicans.

Warren left private practice and in 1981 moved to Maine where he worked for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for 38 years, retiring in 2019. In retirement he enjoyed reading, watching old movies, spoiling the cats, and sitting on a rock along the coast watching the tide change.

He is survived by his wife Ann; daughter Ellen; son Joseph; and brother Burke.

There will be a graveside service this summer in Veterans Cemetery, in Augusta.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To share a condolence or memory with the Liburt family, visit Warren’s Book of Memories at http://www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

LAURA M. GRAY

WINDSOR– Laura May (Fowle) Gray, 87, of Windsor, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2025, while in the care of Oak Grove Center, in Waterville. Laura was born in Whitefield on May 8, 1937, to Clyde Scott Fowle and Hazel Blanche (Prescott) Fowle. She was the youngest of three girls.

Laura went to high school at Erskine Academy, in South China, and graduated with the class of 1955. A schoolmate passed her a note from Richard (Dick) Hunter Gray, a senior – who was an excellent first baseman and drove a ‘42 Ford. This was the start of a life-long love. The two were married on November 3, 1956, and honeymooned at Niagara Falls right before Dick entered the military on November 15.

When Dick was drafted to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, there wasn’t anything that was going to stop Laura from joining him.  They lived there for 18 months and this is where their son Richard (Rick) was born. When Laura and Dick returned to Maine they decided to build their home in Windsor. Soon after, their second son Timothy (Tim) was born.

Laura started a career in service to the town of Windsor in 1963, and remained dedicated to this work for more than 30 years. During her tenure, she held the titles of town clerk, registrar of voters, treasurer, and tax collector.  Laura and Dick were so dedicated to the town of Windsor that they built a room onto their home that housed the town office for 25 years, up until its move in 1989.

Laura had many passions: her flower garden, puzzles, watching Red Sox games, and bowling.

Her ideal vacation was camping at Cathedral Pines Campground with her children and grandchildren.  She was involved with Boy Scout Troop #609 and was well known for sewing patches and merit badges for many of the area youth.  She earned a lifetime achievement award for her work with the Erskine Alumni association, Spirit of America Award for her service to the town, and just as prominently displayed a Johnny Damon Red Sox plaque labeled the world’s greatest grandma.

Laura was very close with her family. She shared a special bond with her two sisters, she loved being a mother and grandmother, and she was a dedicated daughter who helped care for her mother as she aged. She believed in the importance of doing a good turn daily, and could be depended upon by many. As they say, one good turn deserves another, and Laura was able to rely on her son Rick and daughter-in-law Debbie (who lived nearby) to be her primary caregivers as she herself aged. Her son Tim and daughter-in-law Liz were keenly aware of the safety related issues connected with elder independence and consistently helped with problem solving, and advocating for Laura’s best interests.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Richard H. Gray Sr., who passed away on August 8, 2019; and her son, Richard H. Gray Jr.

Laura is survived by her son, Timothy(Tim) Gray and his wife Elizabeth (Liz), of Jefferson; daughter-in-law, Deborah Gray, of Windsor; her sisters, Christine Glidden and her husband, Richard, of Waldoboro, and Virginia Jewett, of Gardiner; her grandchildren Zachary Gray and his wife Rebecca, of Wiscasset, Mackenzie Gray, of Windsor, Benjamin Gray and his wife Brooke, of Livermore Falls, Spencer Gray, of Falmouth, Skyler Gray and his wife Beth, of Norway, and Timothy(Tim) Gray Jr., of Augusta; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, at Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor, where a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m.  Followed by a reception at North Windsor Baptist Church, 955 Ridge Rd., Windsor, ME 04363.  Burial and committal prayers will be held in Rest Haven Cemetery, Windsor, at a later date.

DAVID D. DESCHAINE

WATERVILLE – David D. Deschaine, 71, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Waterville. He was born in Waterville on July 31, 1953, a son of Rene and Anne (Martin) Deschaine.

He attended Waterville High School.

Over the years, he worked at Cottle’s Supermarket, in Waterville, then for Waterville Public Works (over 30 years), where for several years he was known as the ‘Snowplow Guy with a Cigar’. He would be seen driving around town in his prized GMC Pickup truck.

He garnered a reputation for repairing lawnmowers, snowblowers and was known to be puttering around his garage. He was an avid fisherman, and hunted often.

He is survived by his sister Rose Paulette; brother Martin Deschaine and wife Jane; sister-in-law Diane Dechaine; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

David was predeceased by his parents; his brother Rene ‘Roland’ Dechaine, his sister Geraldine MacArthur, his brother Rodney Deschaine and his brother-in-law Gene Paulette.

Arrangements will be made for a future gathering.

You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting David’s guestbook at https://vrlfuneralhome.com/.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Winslow Community Cupboard Food Pantry.

Services

NORMAN L. LEEMAN

PALERMO – Norman L. Leeman, 77, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m., at the Palermo Christian Church, 322 Branch Mills Rd., Palermo, ME 04354.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor, ME 04363. Condolences may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

JANET F. MITCHELL

WATERVILLE – Janet F. Mitchell, 93, of Waterville, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024, in her family home of 67 years. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Lorimer Chapel, Colby College, 4000 Mayflower Hill Drive, Waterville, Maine 04901. A reception will be held after the Celebration of Life. To read Janet’s full obituary please visit http://www.gallantfh.com.