OBITUARIES for Thursday, July 28, 2022

SHIRLEY A. McQUILLAN

WINSLOW – Shirley A. McQuillan, 91, of Winslow, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. She was born on July 25, 1930, in Waterville, the daughter of Joseph and Bertha (Gauthier) Mercier.

In 1952 Shirley married John McQuillan and together they had two children. They lived in Ohio and New Jersey before moving to Maine where Shirley held different retail positions. She was also known as the keeper of the “Keys to the Castle” for St. John Church, in Winslow. From flowers to robes, Shirley gave her all in keeping a beautiful church and her hard work will always be remembered and missed.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents; her husband, John; and her grandchild, Charles Maze Knowles.

She is survived by her son, David McQuillan and his wife Elaine, of Plaistow, New Hampshire; her daughter, Michelle Knowles, of Vassalboro; her grandchildren Ryan John and his wife Jenn, of Florida, Becky Sigillo, of New Hampshire, and her children Ryan and Delaney and their father Donald Sigillo; Drew Michael Tardiff and his wife Victoria, of Westbrook, and David Roy Tardiff, of Winslow.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 18, at 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. Burial will be held following at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, http://www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

SHARON M. FLETCHER

CHINA – Sharon Marie Fletcher, 62, of Waterville, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Northern Light Inland Hospital, following a lengthy illness. She was the daughter of Paul Fletcher Sr. and Erdine (Bronn) Fletcher, of China.

She was a graduate of Erskine Academy, in South China, class of 1978. After graduation she moved to Bridgton and was employed by the Bridgton Shoe Shop, and moved back to China later to be closer to her family.

She was predeceased by her parents Paul and Erdine, her grandparents, Robert and Sarah Fletcher, Raymond and Grace Bronn, and Marguerite and Gilbert Sylvain.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Lockhart and husband Roger, Paul Fletcher Jr. and wife Linda, Royce Fletcher and wife Salome, and Timothy Fletcher, all of China; extended family, Hope Smith and Mary Holt, of New Hampshire, John Bickford, of Fairfield, and Debbie Wallace, of Deltona, Florida; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Burial will be at the Chadwick Hill Cemetery, in South China, at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.

An online guestbook may be signed, memories shared, and condolences expressed at http://www.gallantfh.com.

RYAN L. CUNNINGHAM

AUGUSTA – Ryan Lawrence Cunningham, 43, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2022. He was born October 9, 1978, the son of Rodney and Leda Cunningham.

Ryan was an expert at tormenting his sisters as a pesky younger brother. This talent progressed with age.

Later in life, his sisters added to his family introducing two new brothers Ben Pride and Jake Skakal. Ben and Lori made Ryan an uncle with the addition of Caleb and Emily Pride. He will be missed by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ryan graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, in 1997. He also attended University of Maine. He was employed as Data Systems Help Desk Manager for the Department of Education, State of Maine. He considered his co-workers his work family. He was known for his sense of humor and pranks.

Ryan’s passions shared with family and friends include hiking, bush craft, kayaking, survival skills, camping, his dirt bike, conspiracy theories, storytelling, disc golf, fishing, drawing and art. He especially enjoyed his annual memorial day fishing trips and game days with buddies. He was a Phish head and enjoyed attending concerts.

Ryan’s priority was his family, where he was always present for family events. He had a special close relationship with his sister Brandi and spent many of the earlier years sharing an apartment with Brandi and Jake.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, July 23, at the Somerville Volunteer Fire Department, 941 Rockland Rd., Somerville, ME 04348.

A private committal service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Condolences, stories, or photos may be shared by visiting www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Kennebec Humane Society for the care of cats.

LEE N. HASKELL

VASSALBORO – Lee N. Haskell, 59, of Vassalboro, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022, following a long, heroic battle with cancer. Lee was born on May 17, 1963, in Augusta, to James and Rita Haskell.

He graduated from Erskine Academy, inSouth China, in 1981, where he developed his great love for sports. He played many sports but truly excelled at basketball and golf. Lee honed his skills at two iconic sites in Augusta: Williams basketball court until the lights went out and Western View Golf Club and Pub (Lee’s favorite place on Earth). He enjoyed coaching youth basketball and cheering on every professional sports team Boston has.

Lee was a flooring specialist and business owner for 40 years, known for generosity and incredible work ethic.

Lee was predeceased by his parents, Tero and Rita Haskell.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Amanda; his children, Adam and Jessica Haskell, Nathan and Ryann Haskell, Liz and Tony Disotto, and Samantha and James Bridges; his two brothers, Ray Haskell and Donnie Haskell; and a sister Patti Desisles; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, July 30, from 2 – 5 p.m., at Western View Golf Club and Pub, 130 Bolton Hill Road, Augusta. The family requests everyone wear their favorite golf attire.

There will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Erskine Academy sports boosters.

NORMA H. SWIFT

PALERMO – Norma Helena Marston Swift, 78, of Palermo passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. She was born on October 10, 1943, to Helen Doris Kopishke and Raymond Fredrick Marston.

She grew up in Litchfield, Farmingdale and graduated from Gardiner High School in 1961. That same year she married Gordon Swift. They moved to Palermo in 1963 to build a home and raise a family.

She spent her working years at Healthtex, in Gardiner, The Department of Transportation and The Department of Labor and finally retiring in 2006. She also spent many years making and selling Artex and Vellux stuffed animals at craft fairs. A talent and passion she shared with her mother.

She had a great love for dancing, bowling, and spending winters in Ocala, Florida. She was also a member of the Palermo Christian Church where she made many friends.

She had a strong independent spirit that was unmatched with a laugh that was unique, contagious and will be deeply missed by all that knew her. You could hear the happiness and joy in it. Earlier this year, she took the time to write some words to paper that leaves us with this final thought, “There have been ups and downs, but it’s been a good life.”

She was predeceased by her mother and father, husband, Bertie Shorey, three brothers, Donald Marston, Calvin Marston, and Raymond (Pete) Marston and brother-in-law Richard (Dickie) Kemp.

She is survived by four children, Cheryl Allen and husband Russ, Gordon Swift and wife Neysa, Angela Swift, and Jeremy Swift and wife Tracy, all of Palermo; three bothers, Ronald Marston and wife Debbie, of Litchfield, David Marston, of Albion, Barry Marston and wife Karolyn, of Augusta; three sisters, Charlotte Kemp, of Monmouth, Shirley Taylor and husband Fred, of Farmingdale, and Laurel Peaslee and husband David, of Farmingdale; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

WHITNEY B. NEWCOMB JR.

NEWARK, Ohio – Whitney (Whit) Burgess Newcomb, Jr., 96, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022, from natural causes, following a fulfilling life. Whit was born in Jonesport, the eldest son of three boys born to Captain Whitney B. Newcomb(e) Sr., of Nova Scotia, Canada, and Kathleen Lovilla Beal, of Jonesport.

With his parents’ permission, he joined the Navy, becoming a signalman on the USS Baxter transport, which was in the Pacific Theater. After World War II, he married Thelma Naomi Alley, his “girl next door,” and they remained married for 71 years. The couple had two sons.

His education included degrees from Husson College, in Bangor, Gorham State Teachers College, and the University of New Hampshire, where he received a masters degree in education.

In the late 1950s the family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. Whitney taught industrial arts at Dixie Hollins High School. His career in Florida culminated after serving as executive director of the Pinellas County Teachers Association.

In 1969, the family returned to Maine, settling in South China. Whit became the assistant director of the Maine State Vocational Educational System, from which he retired in 1983. Whit and Thelma enjoyed retirement with traveling, bowling, golfing, sailing, fishing, and being with their family. During Whit’s golfing experiences, he managed to have seven “holes-in-one.” He was also quite the wordsmith, and enjoyed writing insightful and humorous rhyming poetry.

After living half-time in South China, , and Inverness, Florida, they relocated to Florida permanently in 2003. Whit lived his final years sharing time with both sons and their families after Thelma’s passing in 2017. Most recently, Whit came to Newark, Ohio, and lived with his youngest son, who became his caregiver. Hospice of Central Ohio made his final days both comfortable and compassionate, and were extremely helpful to the family.

Whit is predeceased by his wife, his parents, and two brothers, Wandell R. Newcomb, of Telford, Tennessee, and Delano E. Newcomb, of Sanford.

He is survived by his sons, Burgess R. Newcomb and his wife Deborah, of Inverness, Florida, and Greeneville, Tennessee, and Gary V. Newcomb and his wife Patricia (Trish), of Newark, Ohio; grandchildren, Jason B. Newcomb and his fiancée Barbie Dykes Smerecki, of Inverness, Florida, Rebecca Newcomb Homan and her husband Daniel C. Homan, of Granville, Ohio, and Anthony R. Newcomb and his wife Shannon, of Lakewood, Wisconsin; great-grandchildren, Dominique A. Caudill and her husband Trevor, of Inverness, Florida, and Nathaniel G. Homan and Madelyn N. Homan, of Granville, Ohio; Great-great-grandchild, Benjamin W. Caudill, of Inverness, Florida.

He is also survived and predeceased by many nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins in both the United States and Canada.

The family will be missing his humor, intellect, guidance, and affection. Private services will be combined with a memorial service and celebration of life for both Whitney and Thelma in Inverness later this year. Interment will be at the Florida Veterans Cemetery at Bushnell.

Donations may be made in his name to the Hospice of Central Ohio Foundation, 2269 Cherry Valley Rd SE, Newark, OH 43055.

SUSANNE ABBE

WATERVILLE – Susan “Sue” (Richards) Abbe, 86, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Woodlands Retirement Community, in Waterville, following a brief illness. She was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Sue attended The Lincoln School and Endicott College where she excelled in all sports.

Sue found joy in a life well lived and her friends spanned all generations and ages. She was quick with a joke, had a mischievous grin and twinkle in her eye – you knew when she was planning something!

Sue was a champion golfer and sailor, a longtime member of Waterville Country Club and Pasadena Yacht and CC (Florida). She was an active volunteer throughout her life – scouts, swim team, youth hockey, hospital boards, Maine Home for Little Wanderers, Gulfport (Florida) Chamber of Commerce and the Gulfport Senior Center.

A lifelong sports fan, Sue instilled in her family a competitive yet compassionate spirit. “Do your best”, “Enjoy your successes but don’t get a big head”, and “Don’t sweat the small stuff” were words to live by.

Sue’s passion for living life to its fullest will be carried on by her children Anne, Richmond, Dudley and Ruth along with eight grandchildren and her favorite great-granddaughter.

She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years John R. Abbe.

A private family service will be held at future date.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04987.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to AYCC, 126 North St., Waterville ME 04901, with a notation of the MMD Swim Team in memory of Sue Abbe.

BETTY J. JACOBS

SOUTH CHINA – Betty Jane (Albert) Jacobs, 88, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022, at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, Connecticut. Betty was born on October 10, 1933, in Win­terville, on the Albert family farm, the daughter of the late Alonzo Albert and Delia (Pelletier) Albert.

Betty grew up living between Winterville and Eagle Lake until she moved in her early 20s to Hartford, Connecticut, and met her husband, Wayne Jacobs. She was a devoted housewife and mother and always admired for her independent spirit. She worked at both Underwood and Royal typewriter companies, in Hartford, and became an entrepreneur for Avon products. At the time of her retirement, she worked for Marshall’s Department Stores. Betty was a longtime Plainville, Connecticut, resident before retiring with her husband to their home on China Lake.

Betty will be greatly missed by all that had the pleasure to know her as she held a caring heart for everyone she knew.

She leaves behind her children, Sheree Durand and her husband, Robert, of West Hartford, Connecticut, Michael Jacobs and his wife, Susan, of Bristol, Connecticut, Gary Jacobs of Clinton, Connecticut, and Timothy Jacobs of Windsor, Connecticut; her grandchildren, Christopher Jacobs, of Farmington, Connecticut, Alissa (Jacobs) Anderson, of Bristol, Connecticut, Ashley (Durand) Fountain, of Wendell, North Carolina, and Zachary and Lauren Jacobs, of Bristol, Connecticut; her great-grandson Cody Jacobs (son of Christopher Jacobs and Corina Scagliola) of Farmington, Connecticut; her sister-in-laws Edna (Guerrette) Albert, Elizabeth (Soucy) Albert, and Shirley Lee Jacobs; along with all her nephews and nieces.

Betty was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Wayne A. Jacobs; her father Alonzo Albert, her mother Delia (Pelletier) Albert; her sisters Geraldine L. Albert, and Sally A. Albert, and her brothers Camille J. Albert, and Frances E. Albert.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday, July 9, at Saint Gregory Church, Bristol, Connecticut. The cremation burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2022, in the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta.

As a native Mainer, Betty appreciated all the State’s natural resources. Especially, the Loons on China Lake where she spent much time watching them.

Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Loon Preservation Project through the Maine Audubon at the following link: http://www.maineaudubon.org/support/ways-to-give/#memorial.

SUSANNE M. CYR

CLINTON – Susanne Marie Cyr, 55, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Clinton. Sue was born June 23, 1966, in Waterville, the daughter of the late Ronald Roland Cyr and Karen Jane Rafferty.

Sue was a homemaker whose disguised selflessness was exposed when she gave more than what she had to those she cared for. She enjoyed spending time with her dog, “Rosie,” driving around town, running errands, and visiting the people she loved. Lunch dates were a common practice of her time spent with the people she held dearly.

Sue was known to be a spitfire, bold and audacious, always standing up for what she believed in. She had a great love for animals and children, growing up tending to horses and riding when she could. Sue selflessly cared for her neighborhood cats and kittens, connecting with animal control when needed, while building a close rapport.

Sue is survived by her children Dillon Cyr, Donald Cyr, and Ernest Cyr, of Maine; siblings Kathy Cyr and David Cyr, also of Maine.

Sue’s Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Catholic Church, Corpus Christi Parish, 116 Silver St., Waterville on Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Waterville.

Arrangements are in the care of the Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church Street, Oakland where condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.lawrybrothers.com.