FARMINGTON – Edrie Althea (Gile) Sutcliffe, 90, longtime resident of Farmington, housing manager and humanitarian, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 13, after a long illness. She was a caring and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and great-aunt to all the members of her large family. She was a loyal lifelong friend to many Farmington area people.

She was born April 6, 1916, in Rangeley, the second elder daughter of Florence (Giffin) and Carroll Gile. She attended school in Rangeley and Phillips, graduating from Rangeley High School in 1935. She moved to Farmington the same year and obtained employment at The Stoddard House Hotel on Broadway. She later became receptionist, secretary and bookkeeper for the Barkers Garage Dodge-Plymouth dealership, also located on Broadway, and was employed there for many years until embarking on a new career in 1980, when she accepted the position of director-manager of The Hazel Thompson Senior Housing Complex on Anson Street, a position she would retain until 2005.

She loved nature, animals, collecting antiques and dolls, hunting and fishing, but her real passion in life was people. She was a true “people person.” She had a special compassion for people in need of help and for homeless children and animals.

She did all she could to help both and was happy to be of service. She never let any obstacle stand in the way of helping someone. Even in declining health, she was dedicated and determined to help those in need.

She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a life member of Farmington Chapter OES Order of the Eastern Star. She served as worthy matron and as grand chaplain of The Grand Chapter of Maine. She was mother advisor to The Order of Rainbow Girls, Phillips Assembly 8. She was a member of The Old South Congregational Church in Farmington. Her compassion, her wisdom, spirit, and strength of character will continue to be a source of inspiration and comfort to her family, friends and all the people whose lives she touched.

She leaves a granddaughter, Jessica Kaniuka, and her husband, Piers, of Holderness, N.H.; a grandson, Noel Danforth, and his wife, Missy and two children, of Farmington; three sisters, Marion Smith of Farmington, Mildred Sawyer of Hope and Ruth Pidacks of St. Petersburg Beach, Fla.; one brother, William Gile, and his wife, Laura, of Rangeley; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and a very close friend who was like a daughter, Beatrice Paradis of Wayne.

She was predeceased by her husband, James (Jimmy) Sutcliffe, well-known area musician and bandleader; a daughter, Gloria Danforth; and two sisters, Murial (Gile) Rollins and Nathlie (Gile) Luce.