Irene Bryant

SCARBOROUGH – Irene Bryant, 92, formerly of Jay, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at Pine Point Nursing in Scarborough, Maine where she had been a resident since July 12, 2024. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff from Hospice of Southern Maine and to the staff from Pine Point nursing for the excellent care and personal attention Irene received.

She was born Marie Rosanna Irene Grondin on August 8, 1932, to the late Armand and Alberta (Bibeau) Grondin. Her father, and paternal and maternal grandparents immigrated from Quebec Canada. She was proud of her Franco-American ancestry, heritage, language, and its culture.

Irene was a 1951 graduate of Livermore Falls High School, and in her youth, she attended Catholic parochial schools in Chisholm, Maine and in Jackman Maine. On July 2, 1951, at St Rose of Lima Church in Jay, she married Laurence W. Bryant who was a graduate of, then archrival, Jay High School. Irene joined her husband at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where their oldest daughter was born. Upon returning to Maine, together they went on to raise three children. Irene loved the Lord and throughout her life she was devoted to the Catholic faith. She was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church. Her faith brought her much peace, joy, and provided her guidance throughout her life.

After Laurence retired from International Paper Company, they enjoyed some well-deserved time traveling around the country and eventually became snowbirds spending time at their 2nd home in Gulfport, Fla. They truly had the time of their lives enjoying adventures with family and friends surrounded by love and plenty of laughter.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Linda Vail and son-in-law Robert of Cumberland, her son Brent Bryant and daughter-in-law Monica of Harmony, son-in-law Normand LeClair of Farmington; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; her brother Francis Grondin and wife Sue of The Villages, Fla., brother-in-law Clarence Bryant of Livermore, sister-in-law Paulette Bryant of Jay; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband; her daughter Cathy LeClair; her parents; her sister Vivian Chicoine; her grandson Anthony LeClair and granddaughter Kristen French; brothers-in-law, Louis Chicoine, Robert Bryant, Donald Bryant, and Kermit Bryant, her sisters-in-law, Jeannine Bryant, Jean Bryant, Constance Bryant, and Phyllis Bryant.

A Mass of Christen burial will be celebrated, 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20 at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street, Jay, Maine. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, 445 Park Street, Livermore Falls, Maine.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com

Funeral Arrangements are handled by Finley Funeral Home 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine.

In lieu of flowers,

please consider making a donation to:

St. Rose of Lima Church

1 Church St.

Jay, ME 04239 or:

Franco Center Performing Arts and Events

46 Cedar St.

Lewiston, ME 04240