Rumford – Alice Marie Cormier Zadakis, 84, of 232 Franklin St., Rumford, left this world to the awaiting, loving arms of her husband and daughter, on Friday, Oct. 26, from the Rumford Hospital after a five-day stay due to a major stroke.

Her unbelievably peaceful passing happened while embraced by 11 loved ones and the presence of Alli, her most beloved dog.

Born in Rumford on July 27, 1923, a daughter of Rosanna and Arthur Cormier Sr., she was a Franklin Street girl since 1927, married the man across the street in 1947, and lived there since.

She attended St. John School and Stephens High School, after which she moved to Biddeford for awhile to be her nephew’s babysitter. Upon her return, she worked at the Rumford Drug Store.

Alice and John’s love was dynamic as well as lifelong. They were married on July 28, 1947, made their four daughters top priority, and put their all into the girl’s upbringing. They were a true twosome in that endeavor.

Mostly a stay-at-home mother, as the girls grew up she also spent several years working at Pat Milligan’s Variety Store. Always outspoken, she was exceedingly personable to Pat’s patrons and many middle-aged locals remember her best from there.

A kind soul, she took care of her husband’s stepfather, Peter Kuskus, who lived with them for over 25 years, beginning when Alice was only 27 years old.

An advocate for the elderly, she never failed to take time to visit and help the older generation. An old Lithuanian friend, John Korbet, feared no one would put flowers on his grave. Alice did for 40 years.

For many years she ran the white elephant booth for the annual hospital fair.

A devote Catholic, she worked on all fundraising events for her church and school, St. Athanasius & John. She loved to help the school by her and her husband running the Thursday bingo for 26 years. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and St. John’s Guild.

Her volunteerism was significant.

Thank you to the staffs of Victorian Villa and Rumford Community Home for being so kind during Alice’s transition from 80 years of Franklin Street to their facilities. A transition we were not prepared to have happen.

Her over 40 days spent at the Rumford Hospital this summer proved to us the staff are all loving, compassionate people who educated us, held us, supported us and encouraged us, especially during her most recent last days of passing.

We extend deep gratitude for the sincere love shown Alice by her caregivers; Tracy, Cary, Wendy, Fran, Patti, Mary Ann and especially Cindy Beedy, who took care of Alice for over six years. Alice thought of her like another daughter, and Cindy accepted the parental discipline without complaint.

We recognize love from Tammy Zadakis Noyes, her husband’s niece, who made Alice’s life less lonely since John’s passing.

Her always present godchild and nephew, Rapheno Thibeault Jr., who was more like a son to her for his ever constant love and care.

Everlasting devotion to St. Therese Lisieux, who guided us during Alice’s last days on earth.

Survivors include three daughters, Constance Porter and husband, Ellery Jr., of Peru, Brenda Bulger and husband, Bruce, of Rumford, Debora Downs and husband, Jeffrey, of Auburn; 10 grandchildren, Carrie Merchant Elliott, Jonathan Merchant, Alek Porter, Isak Porter, Ryan Kerr, Alicia Bulger, Desiree Bulger, Gwendolyn Downs, Noah Downs and Abigail Downs; one great-grandchild, James Elliott; a son-in-law, Dennis Merchant; and a sister-in-law Carmen Zadakis.

She was predeceased by her husband, John Zadakis Jr. on Feb. 19, 2000; her daughter, Margaret Merchant on Oct. 19, 2002; her brothers, Edgar Cormier and Arthur “Butch” Cormier Jr.; her sisters, Lena Cormier No 1, Juliette Cormier, Evelyn Thibeau, Eva Richard, Lena Cormier No. 2 and Claire Charette; her brother-in-law, Peter Zadakis; and her sister-in-law Madeline Gestaut.