Mexico – Edith “Edie” Gallant, 83, of Grandview Circle in Mexico, died Monday, June 26, after a long courageous battle with lung cancer.

She was born in Lewiston, on March 24, 1923, a daughter of Arthur and Josephine (Evans) Arsenault.

Edie was raised in Mexico by Obie and Bill Waugh, and lived locally all of her life.

She was a graduate of Mexico High School, Class of 1941, where she played on the girls’ basketball team. She was also a graduate of the Rumford Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1944.

After graduation she joined the U.S. Army as a nurse, attaining the rank of 2nd lieutenant. This is where she met her future husband, E. Joseph Gallant, and they married on June 9, 1947.

She was employed at Rumford Community Hospital for 36 years as a registered nurse. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.

She was a communicant of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.

She enjoyed line dancing, bowling, knitting, gardening, walking, cross country skiing, camping and fishing.

She is survived by a daughter, Cynthia J. Foreman of Waldoboro; three sons, James A. Gallant and wife, Doreen, of New Gloucester, Timothy J. Gallant and wife, Jody, of Rumford and Michael W. Gallant and wife, Linda, of Byron; a stepsister, Jackie Waite of Mexico; stepbrothers, Eugene Waugh of Mexico, Kenneth Waugh of Byron and Wilfred Waugh of South Carolina; and her Aunt Obie Waugh of Mexico, who raised her from early childhood; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, E. Joseph Gallant; and a sister, Helen Witas.