LEWISTON – Madeline G. Byal, 86, died Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Montello Manor Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

She was born April 28, 1918, in Auburn, a daughter of Perley W. and Ethel (Stanmore) Gilbert. She graduated from Edward Little High School in the class of 1935. She worked at Seavey’s Candy Store, as well as the F. W. Woolworth Co. in Lewiston prior to her marriage to Pvt. Lionel Laflamme, U.S. Army in 1939.

Following the end of World War II, she and her husband resided in Ft. Pierce, Fla., until his death.

Her second husband was Arthur Byal of Ft. Pierce, Fla. She enjoyed being a homemaker and parttime salesperson while they resided in Ft. Pierce. Following Arthur’s death, she resided for a time in Macon, Ga., before returning to Maine in the year 2000.

She loved traveling, bowling, cooking and entertaining friends and family while she lived in Ft. Pierce. She was a fine hostess and loved decorating. She knitted countless sweaters and articles of clothing, which she generously shared with her loved ones and in later years, with charitable organizations. She attended Court Street Baptist Church and East Auburn Baptist Church of Auburn.

She is survived by her sister, Grace G. Smith, of Portland; her brother, Wendall Gilbert, of Macon, Ga; niece, Sandra Scribner (Carroll), of Venice, Fla., and Old Orchard Beach, Ronald B. Reynolds (Constance), of Venice, Fla., and Auburn, Theodore C. Reynolds II (AIda), of Auburn; nephews, Gary and Thomas Gilbert, of Ohio, and Georgia; niece, Patti Hill, of Macon, Ga.; grandnieces, Nancy (Lawrence) Adams, Barbara (Thomas) Brown; stepdaughter, Sandra Strickland, of Florida; and several cousins in Lisbon Falls and Brunswick.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lionel Laflamme, and husband, Arthur Byal, her parents, and sisters, Elinor G. Reynolds and Gertrude Gilbert.

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