Obituaries, Week of May 24, 2018

JOYCE M. YORK

WINSLOW – Joyce M. (Caswell) York, 81, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018, at Inland Hospital, in Waterville. She was born September 8, 1936, in Mercer, the daughter of Wallace and Beatrice (Rancourt) Caswell.

She was a co-founder of the Water-Oak Gem & Mineral Society, Inc., Waterville. She loved rock hunting around the state of Maine. Joyce will be remembered for her loving heart, personality, kindness and selflessness.

For the past 10 years she has lived with her niece, Carrie Collins, in Winslow.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, John Bragg and his partner Carlene; nieces and nephews, Lorrie York and Michele York Tharp, both of California, Gerald (Jerry) York, Gina York Knowles, Michael Bragg, Terry Bragg McPhearson and Cheryl Bragg Csengry, all of Maine, Michael York, Michael Bragg, Scott Bragg, Sandra Caswell Fisher, and Cathy Bragg Hawkins, all of Texas, Donna Delcore, of New Hampshire, Marcia Tanguay, Gloria Frawley, and Brenda Puzzo, all of Massachusetts, Tara Caswell Maxwell, of Kansas; many great-nieces and nephews.

She was the widow of Albert C. York. They shared 49 years of marriage together.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Joyce’s memory to Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

BRANDY S. LILLY-BIZIER

WINSLOW – Brandy S. Lilly-Bizier, 37, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018. She was born October 8, 1980, the daughter of Mae (Truman) Mayo and James Lilly.

She attended schools in Gardiner, Whitefield, Windsor and Erskine Academy, in South China. She met her future husband while a freshman at Erskine, although she didn’t know it at the time. She graduated from Erskine Academy in 1999 and moved to Florida until her return to Maine in 2001. She held jobs as a waitress, store clerk, pharmacy tech, cashier, eventually caring for the elderly / healthcare.

She enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and living in the great outdoors.

She is survived by her husband Christopher Bizier; her parents, James Lilly and companion Kim Weeks, Rhonda Lilly, and Mae Mayo; grandparents Bill Lilly and companion Ernestine MacMillan; her in-laws, Al and Linda Getchell, and Tom and Hope Shorey; aunts and uncles Richard and Linda Truman, and Myra and Steve Carnival; many siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Condolences and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

Arrangements were under the direction of Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Windsor, ME.

Memorial donations may be made to The Resident’s Activity Fund, Gray BNirch, 37 Gray Bird Dr., Augusta, ME 04330 or The National MS Society of Maine, 74 Gray Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105 or any animal shelter of your choice.

ARLENE D. MEADER

Arlene Meader

OAKLAND – Arlene Davis Meader, 93, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. The daughter of Isaac and Arra Davis, she was born on November 22, 1924, in Solon.

She grew up on a farm with five siblings. In 1941, Arlene graduated with honors from Solon High School, where she was active in sports, drama and public speaking. At a box social, she met Everett Meader. She graduated from Skowhegan Business School and then served as a secretary at W.H. Hinman, Inc.

In 1944, Arlene married Everett, and together they managed the Meader farm. She and Everett led the Youth Group at the Solon Methodist Church, served as co-presidents of the Couples Club, and participated in the Solon Grange. Before leaving Solon, she became the town clerk and treasurer.

In 1965, the family moved to Oakland, where she and Everett became active in the Messalonskee All-Sports Boosters. They were members of the Oakland-Sidney United Methodist Church, where she was in charge of the nursery for many years. This is where she became known as “Grammie Meader” to many children. Her greatest enjoyments were watching her sons and grandchildren play sports and attending family gatherings.

After surviving a massive heart attack in 2005, she became known as the “Miracle Woman.” Her loved ones were blessed with 13 additional years with her. During this time, she shared her love and extended her legacy with seven more great-grandchildren.

Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Everett, of 66 years; brothers, Harrison and Richard Davis; and twin-sister, Pauline Davis.

She is survived by her sons: Dick and wife, Betty-Jane, of Waterville, Bob and wife, Pam, of Portland, Bruce and husband, Joe DiLorenzo, of Saco, and Don and wife, Melissa, of Oakland; grandchildren: Lance and wife, Amy; Daren and fiancée, Jennifer Banks; Lindsay and husband, Brian Ross; Derek and wife, Kara; Suzanne and husband, Aaron Berthiaume; Justin and partner, Katrina Seeley, and Trevor and partner, Adam Courcy; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Alice Heald and Beverly Shaughnessy; brother, Isaac Davis Jr.; family friend, Jim Tolman; and relatives, Norma Gorham and Frances Savage.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at: www.lawrybrothers.com.

Memorial donations may be made to:The Oakland-Sidney United Methodist Church, 20 West School Street, Oakland, ME 04963.

MERLE N. QUIMBY

ALBION – Merle N. Quimby, 97, formerly of Albion, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at Oak Grove Nursing Home, in Waterville. She was born in Unity on September 28, 1920, the daughter of Eugene and Doris (Davis) Nichols.

She graduated from Freedom Academy, class of 1939. Merle married Lawrence Quimby on July 6, 1940 and celebrated 64 years together.

Merle was always an active woma. She helped on the family farm much preferring to be driving a tractor in the hay field than staying in the house. Along with clerking in local stores, Merle was also a rural route mail carrier for a number of years. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, making porcelain dolls and basket weaving.

Merle was predeceased by her parents, husband, sister and great-grandson.

She is survived by sons Carroll Quimby and wife Charlene, Reginald Quimby and wife Diane, all of Albion; daughter Nancy Crosbyt and husband Peter, of Augusta; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

JAMES B. VANDERVEER

WINSLOW – James “Jim” VanDerveer, 76, passed away following a hard fought and courageous battle with cancer and other medical complications at MaineGeneral Medical Center on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. He was born September 12, 1941, in Hackensack, New Jersey, the son of James Joseph VanDerveer and Alberta Linscott VanDerveer.

Jim graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1959 and from there went to serve in the United States Marine Corps from 1959-1962. He later attended classes at Thomas Collage, in Waterville.

On September 7, 1968, he married the former Nancy Fortin. Together they made their home in Winslow with their two children Scott and Holly. Jim worked for Smiley’s Dairy for several years and then Oakhurst Dairy for 30 years. After his retirement he worked part-time for Fortin’s Home Furnishings, in Winslow, in the maintenance department.

Jim loved art classes with Sister Yvonne and had wonderful memories of being a member of the Indian Guides with his son Scott. He was an avid Red Sox fan and made several bus trips with Scott to see games at various ball parks. More than likely if you visited him at home he would be watching CNN.

Jim was a quiet, gentle and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Jim was predeceased by his parents; and grandparents Elna and Bill Clark.

Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, of Winslow; his son Scott, of Winslow; his daughter Holly Anderson and husband James, of Winslow; four granddaughters, Rachel, of Waterville, Lauren, Tori and Kara, of Winslow; great-granddaughter Elainna Linnell, of Waterville; his brother, Carl VanDerveer, of Kingsland, Georgia; his sister Joan Gould, of Littleton, New Hampshire; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Jim’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

Please consider making a donation in Jim’s name to: Spectrum Generations, Muskie Center, 39 Gold Street, Waterville ME 04901.

DIAN DUQUETTE

WINDSOR––Dian (Tremblay) Duquette, 71, of Windsor, passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. She was born in Waterville to Henry and Ileen (Brooks) Tremblay.

She was raised in Windsor, and graduated from Erskine Academy. She attended classes at UMA.

Dian left Windsor for several years, only to return to be with her partner, Carlton Evans Jr. They were together for more than 30 years.

Dian loved to cook. Her lasagna was always a big hit at family gatherings. She enjoyed sewing and making outfits when her children were young.

She was content with life, not wanting for material things.

She was predeceased by her parents; and brothers, John and Michael Tremblay.

She survived by her partner, Carlton Evans Jr.; daughter, Dawnn Hannan and partner, Peter Morse, of Manchester; her son, Dana Duquette, of Delaware; granddaughter Daysha Hannan, of Winthrop, her brother, Donald Tremblay, of Saco; her sisters, Debora Loman, of Augusta, and Janet Thompson and husband, Rick, of Mount Vernon; and many nieces and nephews.

OTHERS DEPARTED

RUTH E. COMEAU, 71, of Litchfield, passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, following a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Locally, she is survived by two brothers, China Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux and wife June, and William L’Heureux and wife Wanda, all of Waterville.

BEVERLY C. SCATES PARKER, 83, of Liberty, passed away on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Locally, she is survived by children Twila Damon and husband Crosby, of Windsor, Elizabeth Campbell and husband John, of Chelsea, and Great Parker and wife Jerrie, of Albion; and sister Carolyn Haskell and husband Eugene, of Fort Myers, Florida, formerly of South China.

HERBERT A. HASKELL, 87, of Warren, passed away on Saturday, May12, 2018, at his home. Locally, he surrived by two sisters, Floria J. Datsis and husband John, and Thelma Martin, all of Winslow.

AREA NOTABLE

HAROLD JOSEPH, 95, of Fairfield, died on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at Maine Medical Center, Portland. His father, Abraham Joseph founded Joseph’s Clothing and Sporting Goods, in Fairfield in 1922. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School , in Fairfield, and Colby College, in Waterville, a member of the first class to graduate on Mayflower Hill. He had a founding role in the Fairfield Police Athletic League. He and his wife Naj, and daughter and son-in-law Paula and Jon Eustis, ran Joseph’s Clothing and Sporting Goods, in Fairfield, for over 70 years.