OBITUARIES for Thursday, May 2, 2024

MARGARET L. CAIN

VASSALBORO – Margaret “Peggy” Louise (Jones) Cain, 86, died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Peggy was born in Augusta to parents Alfred L. and Madeline M. Jones on July 19, 1937.

She graduated from Waterville High School in 1956 and from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing with a three-year degree to become a registered nurse in September1960.

Peggy had been a resident of Vassalboro her entire life and had started her career as a surgical nurse at Thayer Hospital, in Waterville. Later she was employed at the Colby College infirmary, in Waterville, for many years where she advocated and spearheaded the Colby Medical Lab creation. After retirement from Colby, she took a part time job at Mid-Maine Internal Medicine, in Vassalboro, for a couple years and then volunteered as a Building Bones instructor teaching classes for the elderly.

Peggy, in her younger years, had a passion for horses. She took pride in her talent of intricate baton twirling and participated in many beauty pageants. Peggy was a strong vibrant outgoing woman who in September 1960, married her lifelong best friend and the love of her life, Richard B. Cain Sr., and together they had seven children.

Peggy dedicated her life to her husband, her children and grandchildren. Holidays were very important to her, especially Christmas. She served as Scout leader and attended many dance recitals. But her passion for sports superseded all. She followed all of her children’s and grandchildren’s many sporting events, participating in fundraisers, operating concession stands, but her favorite was volunteering on the Winslow High School Hockey Booster Club.

She also enjoyed professional sports; some of her favorites were Quarterback Fran Tarkenton’s Minnesota Vikings, later New England Patriots took their place, but no team could ever replace her love for the Boston Red Sox.

Peggy valued quality time with her kids and grandkids, and she embraced the outdoors with enthusiasm. Together with her husband and other family members, would go ice fishing, snowmobiling or four-wheeling. Peggy immensely enjoyed sledding with her special sled that no one was allowed to touch, and she would sled with all who were willing to conquer the hill outback of her house.

Peggy absolutely loved camping on the seasonal campsite at Pleasant Point, Oakland, at the family camp lot on Webber Pond, on Bald Mount, Bingham, and Cathedral Pines, Eustis. She loved it all.

Peggy had a passion for swimming. She would challenge anyone to a morning swim Memorial Day weekend just after the ice went out of the lake or would be in competition with the neighbor as to who would use their pool latest in the season, usually closing it in mid-October.

Peggy loved to listen to her country music from Patsy Cline to Alan Jackson and she could out dance anyone on the dance floor. Everyone loved to watch her and Dick glide across the dance floor with grace or get down and boogie to a good ole fashion polka.

Peggy was big on playing cards, Yahtzee, or Mexican train, she enjoyed the socialization and the competition. Peggy was just a social bug and loved to entertain. Peggy and Dick hosted “every” Sunday dinner potlucks for family, many annual family reunions, and various parties.

Peggy was a very wise woman and shared her lifetime philosophy that she learned from a nun at nursing school…“You will always love your children, but your husband comes first. Your children will grow and leave the nest, but your husband is there to stay.” She revolved around this philosophy awaiting this day, April 4, 2024, when she will see Dick again and they can dance across Heaven together for eternity.

Peggy was predeceased by husband, Richard “Dick” Cain Sr.; son, Mark W. Cain; and parents Alfred L. Jones and Madeline M. (Foster) Jones.

Margaret “Peggy” Louise (Jones) Cain is survived by sons, Kevin Cain and wife Regina, of Benton; daughter, Alison Thompson and husband Kevin, Richard Cain Jr. and wife Stacey, David Cain and wife Terri, daughter, Meridith Cain, Alfred Jones “AJ” Cain and wife Rhonda, all of Vassalboro; 16 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley J. Jones; brother, Alfred “Bub” M. Jones; brother-in-law, Silas “Bill” Cain and wife Lorette; sisters-in-law, Maureen Macomber and husband Bill, and Patricia “Pat” Crocker.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, in Winslow, on Friday May 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. Arrangements are being made by Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made in her name to Waterville Office Hospice, 1800 Philanthropy, Northern Light Home Care and Hospice 225 Gorham Rd., Suite 200, South Portland, ME 04106: http://www.northernlighthealth.org/Our-System/Foundation/Donation-Opportunities.

YVETTE C. POULIN

WINSLOW – Yvette Cecile (LaChance) Poulin, 82, died in the care of Hospice early Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Oak Grove Center, in Waterville. Yvette was born May 3, 1941, and grew up in Winslow.

She attended St. John Parochial School. Later in life, she was a Charter Member of the St. John PTFA, as secretary and organized and co-chaired the first ever St. John Christmas Fair. She was active in fundraising for the school at spaghetti and bean suppers during her children’s school years.

She graduated from Winslow High School with National Honors in 1959 and was class officer.

She later took evening classes at Thomas College, in Waterville, and Kennebec Valley Technical Institute, in Fairfield. In her early teen years, she worked at her parent’s grocery store where the first Winslow Post Office was established, and she was sworn in as assistant postal mistress. Following graduation, she was employed in the administrative offices of Keyes Fibre Company, in Waterville, for nearly 24 years in various secretarial and analytical positions.

On September 2, 1963, Yvette married her neighbor and high school sweetheart Leonard Douglas Poulin, at St. John the Baptist Church, in Winslow. They were married for 59 years and for 35 of those years, besides having full-time careers and raising two children, acquired over 40 rental units they managed and maintained together until their sale in 2001.

Yvette was the family memory maker. She hosted large family Christmas parties annually for all the aunts, uncles, and cousins to gather and celebrate. During the summers, her welcoming backyard gave space for all the cousins and neighborhood friends to swim and play in the pool. She swam laps everyday each summer without ever once getting her hair wet.

Her grandchildren had magical childhoods with their mémère. She took them on many adventures at her timeshares in Stoneham and created a special space at their warehouse where the kids could immerse themselves in arts, crafts, and play. The many photos she took during these times will provide cherished memories.

Yvette was generous and kind, always willing to help anyone in need and share all the things that brought her joy with friends and family. The love and support she provided to so many over the years is immeasurable.

She loved to adventure outdoors. In the winters, she was off to her home in Florida. She explored every park, trail and beach she could find, and nothing made her happier. In the summer and fall, she spent weeks at her timeshares hiking and exploring Stoneham and Southwest Harbor. She always invited her sisters and friends to join her in Florida to enjoy the sunshine or Southwest Harbor for adventures in Bar Harbor. She so loved the beauty of the Stoneham area that she shared that love by gifting family members her own timeshares to enjoy.

Yvette was a creative and talented artist who loved to craft and paint. The walls of their home were graced with many of her beautiful paintings, and she was so proud to make her special clothespin doll ornaments each holiday to gift to friends and family. When major (or just funny) events happened in her family and extended families’ lives, she would craft custom dolls that reflected a history personal to each person, down to the smallest detail. If these dolls were all brought together, they would tell the story of our family.

Yvette was predeceased by her parents, Irene (Reny) and Julienne (Breton) Lachance, and her sister, Theresa Begin.

She is survived by her two children, Leonard D. Poulin, Jr., Leslie Wilson and her husband Ian; three grandchildren Joshua Poulin, Jorja Poulin, Liam Poulin; one great-granddaughter, Harper Poulin; sisters, Lucille Roy and Juliette Akins; brothers-in-law and their wives, Warren and Patricia Poulin, Michael and Madeline Poulin, and Tom and Roberta Poulin; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., in Winslow, on her birthday, May 3, 2024, at 10 a.m. . There will be a luncheon gathering immediately following the Mass at St. John School.

Arrangements are under the direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home and Cremation Service. There is an online register for messages and condolences at dignitymemorial.com.

CHRIS J. BURGESS

BELGRADE – Chris Jeffrey Burgess, 64, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024, at his home. Chris was born on October 17, 1959, the son of Helen Lucille (Philbrick) and Lloyd Dhanis Burgess.

Chris had a passion for restoring classic muscle cars. He enjoyed the company of friends and his constant companion of 11 years, Diesel.

He was predeceased by both parents, and brothers Lloyd (Butch) Burgess Jr. and Gene L. Burgess.

Chris leaves behind his life partner Darlene Spiller; daughters Holly A. and Prudence A. Burgess; stepson Joseph P. Spiller; granddaughter McKaylee A. Hampson; brother Leon D. Burgess and partner Sandra Macomber; sisters Gail Gallagher and husband Herbert, Barbara Burgess, Joy Burgess, and Cathy Burgess; mother-in-law Donna E. McCaslin; numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside and gathering to be announced at a later date.

Please visit Chris’ memorial page at http://www.dsfuneral.com/obituaries/chris-burgess where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

PHYLLIS A. CHAMBERLAIN

SKOWHEGAN – Phyllis Anita (Boynton) Chamberlain, 94, passed away at her home, in Skowhegan, on Friday, April 19, 2024, following a battle with pancreatic cancer and aortic stenosis. She was born on August 27, 1929, daughter of Henry and Alta (Ellis) Boynton.

She attended schools in Skowhegan and graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1947. She continued to be in touch with some of her classmates until her death.

Phyllis married Clayton “Jack” Chamberlain November 30, 1947, and was married 55 years until his passing in 2003. Phyllis worked as a telephone operator as well as on the farm they purchased from her grandfather on the East River Road for 16 years. Phyllis also worked as a nanny for Dr. Loring Pratt, of Fairfield, until she went to Skowhegan Business School and started working at the new Federal Trust Bank, in Skowhegan in 1961.

Her son John was born in 1949 and daughter Leona was born in 1950. During that time, she and Jack provided care for Phyllis’ grandparents, and later, Jack’s parents. She was a devoted caregiver who managed children, household, farm chores, and caregiving for her elders all in stride. She later cared for Jack after his stroke in 1985. He lived another 19 years, and she continued to care for him and work at the bank until her retirement in 1991 as an operations officer with Bank of America.

Phyllis and Jack were able to take vacations and enjoyed many trips to Michigan to see John and his wife Janet, traveling with them to the West Coast. After Jack passed away, she and Lee took several trips to Canada, Wyoming, Florida, Oregon, and Michigan. Phyllis enjoyed entertaining and stayed connected with all her nieces and nephews through two generations.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Jack; siblings Mary Russell, Robert Boynton, and R. True Boynton; as well as grandson Christopher Matthew Chamberlain.

Phyllis is survived by her son John Chamberlain and wife Janet; daughter Leona “Lee” Sinclair; grandchildren Aaron Chamberlain, Jenny Bellows and husband Nick, Jan Wilkinson and husband Will, Jared Sinclair and girlfriend Lindsay Webber; great-grandchildren Joshua Chamberlain, Christopher Chamberlain, and Andrew Jarvais; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Virginia Hyatt, of Vermont; cousin Chick Hunter, of New Jersey.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 1 p.m., at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave. in Skowhegan. A reception will be held at Phyllis’ home at 1020 East River Road, Skowhegan, from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Phyllis’ ashes will be placed with Jack’s on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 9 a.m., at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Rd., in Augusta. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Please visit Phyllis’ memorial page at https://smartandedwardsfh.com/obituaries/phyllis-chamberlain where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

If you would like to do something in memory of Phyllis, plant a seed, a bulb, or a tree and sow seeds of kindness and forgiveness when you do.

MARK N. MORANG

PALERMO – Mark N. “Bing” Morang, 59, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor. He was born in Augusta on May 8, 1964, a son of Karl G. and Alice Y. (Alexopoulos) Morang.

Bing attended Augusta schools and had been self employed for many years as a flooring installer.

He was predeceased by his father, Karl G. Morang; and two brothers, James L. Morang and Ricky K. Morang.

Bing is survived by his mother, Alice Y. (Alexopoulos) Morang, of Winthrop; two sisters, Cindy S. Miville and her husband Mike, of Winthrop, and Anne F. Chadwick, of Bangor; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be no public visiting hours. A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Rd., Augusta.

Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: http://www.plummerfh.com.

The family requests that donations in Bing’s name be made to Kennebec Valley Humane Society,168 Leighton Rd., Augusta, ME, 04330.

BARBARA A. CZEPIEL

OAKLAND – Barbara Ann Czepiel, 77, passed away, at home, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, following a long battle of health issues. She was born on February 25, 1947, and raised in Chicopee, Massachusetts, by her parents Walter and Stella Czepiel, now deceased.

She worked and attended Sunshine Village (Adult Day Care Center), in Massachusetts, for 30 years and with great pride being in charge of the cafeteria.

All who knew Barbara will never forget her smile, sense of humor and always wanting to help. Listening to Polish music on the Big Joe Polka Show was a favorite thing to do. Her dream was to play the accordion but couldn’t.

Barbara came to Maine in 2011 to live with her sister Diane Bickford, who resides in Oakland. She loved Maine and all it had to offer, especially lobster rolls, and mostly all the friends she made who have expressed so much love for her.

Barbara will be laid to rest beside her parents on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 1 p.m., following a graveside service at Notre Dame cemetery, in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

Barbara leaves behind her two sisters, Diane Bickford, of Oakland, and Elaine Beliveau, of Chicopee, Massachusetts; and a brother Walter Czepiel, of Ludlow, Massachusetts; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Catholic Mass will be held in remembrance of Barbara here in Maine, at St. John Church, in Winslow, on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. All are invited to attend.

Her cremation was done by Lawry Brothers-Wheeler Funeral Home, in Fairfield, where you can sign her book online.

Donations made in her honor should go to the Salvation Army or Disabled Vets.

OTHERS DEPARTED

CARLENE ROY

CHINA – Carlene Roy, 86, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024, peacefully in her sleep. She was born in Caribou on February 2, 1938.

A burial was held at the Holy Family Cemetery on the Townsend Road, in Augusta, on Saturday, April 27, at 9 a.m. A Celebration of Life was held at the Le Club Calumet, 334 West River Road, Augusta, following the committal.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville.

DOROTHY M. CASHMAN

WATERVILLE – Dorothy Marie Cashman, 91, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 22, 2024.

She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth J. (Snapper) Cashman.

She is survived by son Terry; grandsons Jesse and wife Nallie, Cheyenne and wife Casey; great-grandchildren Conan and Isla.

SERVICES

JON J. FORTIER

WINSLOW – Saturday, May 4, at 11 a.m., funeral service, Saint John the Baptist Catholic, Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. Immediately after funeral service, a family committal service at Saint Francis Cemetery, 78 Grove St. Waterville, then a Celebration of Life, noon, at the Pointe Afta Restaurant, 252 China Rd., in Winslow.

MURIEL R. GERVAIS

WATERVILLE – Muriel Rolande Gervais, 93, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Woodlands Senior Living, of Waterville, following a long illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 41 Western Ave., Augusta, ME 04330, with burial to follow at Holy Family Cemetery, in Augusta.

Arrangements are in the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Muriel’s name may be made to, St. Michael’s Parish, 24 Washington St., Augusta, ME 04330.