AUBURN — Rachel Albert Cyr, 79, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Auburn, after a period of failing health. She was predeceased by her husband, Irvin C. Cyr, who died Jan. 15, 2002.

She was born March 12, 1937, in Stockholm, the daughter of Patrick and Leona (Lagasse) Albert. She was a graduate of Our Lady of Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, in 1954. She married Irvin C. Cyr on Nov. 10, 1956. She graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle with an associate degree in liberal studies in 1987.

She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for more than 40 years, where she was a lector, Eucharistic minister, participant in the choir, and served in other ministries. She also volunteered at Cary Medical Center. In 2005, she moved to Auburn to be closer to her family.

She never lost her deep connection to the County and her neighborhood friends from New Sweden Road. While in Auburn, she was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at Sacred Heart. She joined their choir as well.

She was very devoted to her family and very proud of her five children, all college graduates. She claimed that raising five children was her greatest accomplishment and reason for being.

She is survived by Carmen Cyr Bailey of Portland, Larry Cyr and his wife, Jennifer Cyr, of Lebanon, Jill Loewer and her husband, Jeffery Loewer, of Waterbury Center, Vt., Dr. Peggy Cyr and her spouse, Roxanna Brophy, of Falmouth, and Dr. David Cyr and his wife, Dr. Nellie Cyr, of Chambersburg, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Diane Palmer, Meghan Dudley, Jacob Cyr-Carter, Jesse Cyr-Brophy, Dipesh Cyr-Brophy, Andrew Loewer, Jeremy Loewer and Julia Loewer; four great-grandchildren, Josephine Palmer, Vincent Palmer, Sophie Palmer and Grady Dudley. She is also survived by two sisters, Geneva Roy of East Millinocket and Carmen Roy of Enfield, Conn.

When she was younger and in better health, she loved the outdoors and spent time snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, skating, biking and walking. She also loved photography and started out using an 8 mm motion camera and over the years became proficient with a digital camera.

Rachel was a lifelong learner, and read and studied extensively on numerous topics, especially history. She went to college at age 50. She was interested in computers and taught herself how to use them.

She lived her Christian faith by supporting a child overseas, being an active church member and donating to numerous Catholic charities.

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