1912 – 2016

RUMFORD — Irene R. Gagnon, 103, of Rumford died Tuesday, Aug. 16,  at the Rumford Community Home.

Irene was born Dec. 8, 1912, in Rumford, to Alfred and Nellie (Talon) Gagnon. She lived in the family home for 94 years and has many fond memories of her childhood and life there. Irene and her brothers and sisters were best friends with the Muskie children as they lived next door to one another. When her father passed away, Irene and her mother received a very touching letter from Senator Muskie reflecting on his boyhood days and how much he had learned from her father, Alfred.

Irene graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford, Class of 1930. After 46 years of employment at the Rumford Steam Laundry and Maine National Bank, she retired to care for her parents. She has had many hobbies throughout her life including knitting, crocheting, sewing, furniture refinishing and furniture stenciling. She was an avid skier and loved figure skating. She also loved to dance.

She has been a lifelong member of Parish of the Holy Savior, St. Athanasius – St. John Church and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella. In 2012, she was proud to donate the family bible to the church.

She became a resident of the Rumford Community Home at the age of 99, when it became necessary for assisted living. This was a difficult transition for her because she was a very independent person. She has celebrated three birthdays with family and friends at the RCH, the most recent being December 2015 when she turned 103. In 2012, she received a letter from Senator Susan Collins congratulating her on her 100th birthday.

Survivors include her sister, Lillian Chase of Farmington; and although she never married she has many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was predeceased by sisters, Dorothy Swan, Lena Puiia and Olivette Richards; and brothers, Robert, Leo and Raymond Gagnon.

Friends are invited to sign the family guest book and share their thoughts, condolences and memories online at www.meaderandson.com.