Genelle Ruth Gingras
1948 – 2009
JAY — Genelle Ruth Gingras, 61, of Jay went home to be in the arms of her angels on July 14, at home surrounded by her loving family after a long courageous battle with COPD.
She was born in Farmington Feb. 10, 1948, to Gerold Edgar and Ruth Lillian (Kennedy) Toothaker. She attended schools in Wilton and proudly earned her GED later in life.
On Sept. 29, 1984, she married R. Paul Gingras in a unique ceremony on Canton Mountain in Canton on a beautiful cloudless day in the eyes of our Lord and in the company of close family and friends.
She was employed at several places in her life including the Wilton Tannery, Franklin Shoe and Orchard Park Rehabilitation & Living Center. After the murder of her granddaughter, Amber Rose Pond in 1999, she became the leader of the Maine Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and traveled to national POMC conventions in many states. She was also a member of the North Jay Grange.
Nell loved spending time with her family, including her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, and her many friends. She also enjoyed camping, her flower gardens, nature and feeding her chipmunks.
She is survived by her husband, Paul; daughters, Elaine August and her husband, Jesse, of Industry, Sonya Heintz of Athol, Mass., Lori Lavasseur and companion, Thomas Meader, of East Wilton and Amanda Carter and husband, Robert, of Kentucky; grandchildren, Amy Levasseur, Alvin Pond, Ashley Levasseur, Ryan St. Pierre, Roland Brown, and Mikahla August; great-grandchildren, Staci and Sadie Lee, Raven Pond and Kalyb Taylor; sisters, Glana Roberts and Gae Toothaker; brothers, Gerold Toothaker Jr. and Gordon Toothaker; many nieces, nephews and cousins; special niece, Jamie Brown-Clendening; and special sister-in-law, Wanda SainteGermain.
She was predeceased by her parents; granddaughter, Amber Rose Pond; sisters, Gloria Miller, Glenda Gordon and Geri Toothaker; and brothers, Glidden (Tuffy), Galin (Tarzy), Glen (Joe) and Glendon (David) Toothaker.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the emergency room staff, respiratory therapists, and third floor nurses at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice staff, Lincare and Dr. Audette.