BIDDEFORD – Irene Lambert, 86, of Saco, died March 11 at the Southern Maine Medical Center. She was formerly of Rumford.

She spoke often of her twin brothers growing up in Malden, Mass. She often said she felt a special bond as children with Dennis and James, her twin brothers, who were always there to protect her.

She grew up very close to them often telling stories of her childhood and how they shared their humble beginnings. She treasured spending time with her special childhood friend Mary Dulac who passed away in 2005. They had a special bond that remained throughout Irene’s life. She was a graduate of Medford High School and also attended Kathryn Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston.

She was married in Boston, Mass., on July 3, 1942, to the late Earl Lawrence Lambert, who died in Togus on Nov. 30, 1972. During World War II, he received an award of recognition from ship’s captain for his positive ability to maintain high morale during times of stress and fatigue while out at sea. She was very proud of her husband.

She worked for Oxford Paper Co. and Boise Cascade Paper Mill in Rumford as a secretary. After her retirement, she committed herself to the care giving of many families throughout the Rumford area until her health began to fail.

As husband and wife Earl and she went on to raise a family, Patricia Lambert of Norway, Lawrence Lambert of Auburn and twins, Timothy Lambert of Mexico and Thomas Lambert of Jamaica Plains, Mass.; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her twin brothers, Dennis and James.