Ferna Woodman Girardin

WILTON – Ferna Woodman Girardin passed away peacefully at her home on High Street in Wilton on June 1, 2024, surrounded by close family and friends. Born to Munro and Hilda (Holman) Woodman on Sept. 7, 1920. She lived to the age of 103, and had recently been awarded the Boston Post Cane from the town of Wilton.

On Oct. 4, 1942, she married Valmore Leon Giradin of Livermore Falls. They moved to Wilton in 1951 where they built a house and raised two daughters, Dawn Rae Girardin and Deborah Lea Girardin. Ferna resided on High Street for the remainder of her days, for a total of 73 years.

Ferna was employed at Armstrong Insurance in Wilton, and the International Paper Androscoggin Mill in Jay from 1965 to 1985, and made many lifelong friends.

After retirement she remained active in the Wilton Historical Society and the Wilton Congregational Church. For many years she took lengthy daily walks with a small group of close friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Val, and a sister, Rachel Merkle. She is survived by her daughter Dawn Girardin and her husband Mark Schneider, their son John Sayles III and his wife Angella Imlay, their children Seth and Navada Sayles and by her other daughter Lea Girardin and her husband Emanuel Pariser and their daughter Ya-Jia Pariser.

Ferna will be sorely missed and remembered fondly by friends and family. She will be interred alongside her husband and parents in Lake View Cemetery in Wilton at a private ceremony. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.