RAYMOND – Marjorie A. (Heldman) Gagnier Burnaby passed away on Thursday, Nov. 18, at her daughter, Jane’s home with family by her side.

She was born on Sept. 26, 1919, in Lewiston, the fourth child of Margaret Deplitch and Carl Heldman. She was educated at Lewiston High School where she graduated in 1936, and Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing.

She married Roland C. Gagnier on Sept. 1, 1941. They raised four children and enjoyed many years together until his death in 1973. She later married Frederick C. Burnaby where they spent their retirement years between Fort Myers, Fla., and the coast of Maine.

Throughout her 85 years, she was involved in many activities ranging from “Lead Role” in the Senior Class play to Intercultural Nursing representative to the Dominican Republic. She was always advocating for the underprivileged and the rights of children.

She has served on many boards in some capacity, and her most recent endeavor was volunteering in the Guardian Ad Litum program in Fort Myers, Fla. She enjoyed excellent health and independence until her mid 80s. She was an avid bridge player and golfer. She also enjoyed many of these activities with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Burnaby, known as “Mimi,” will be sadly missed by her children, Dale Cronin and husband, Paul, Suzanne McHugh and husband, Michael, Roland “Chip” Gagnier and wife, Melanie and Jane Gagnier; her grandchildren, Kristen Giancotti and Marco, Kate Collins and John, Scott McHugh and Allison, and John McHugh, Christian, Marc and Briana Gagnier, Meghann and Caitlin Diggles; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Drew Collins, Sophia, Marco, and Nicolas Giancotti, and Haley, Thomas and Michael McHugh; stepchildren, Dr. Priscilla Burnaby, Laurie Burnaby, and Betsy Burnaby; one surviving sister-in-law, Blanche Heldman; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by brothers, Carl and Lloyd Heldman, a sister, Maxine Draper, her husband Frederick, and granddaughter, Erin Diggles this year.


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