Gwendolyn Puiia

1930 – 2009

LEWISTON — Gwendolyn (Richards) Puiia, 79, of Mexico, passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston.

She was born Jan. 24, 1930, a daughter to F. Minard and Florence Richards of Mexico.

On July 12, 1949, Gwen married the love of her life, Frank Puiia, who passed away on Dec. 8, 1986. Together they raised two daughters at their home in Mexico.

Gwen was a very generous person who always gave to others willingly. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends but it was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her the most joy. She was known to them as Bummie; a woman who’s heart held an endless amount of love and pride, who’s arms held the most comforting hugs, and who’s purse held a constant supply of peppermint candies.

She is survived by a brother, Gerald Richards, of Florida; her two daughters, Donna Porter and her husband, Neal, of Camden, and Diana Waleik and her husband, John, of Mexico; as well as two grandchildren, Adam Waleik and his wife, Abby, of Rumford, and Ali Clark and her husband, Adam, of Dixfield.

Gwen will also be missed by her adoring great-grandchildren, Jack and Henry Waleik, and Mallory Clark.

She was predeceased by a brother, Bobby Richards, of New Hampshire.