Marian S. Norway

NORWAY – Marian S. Paine, 86, of Norway, died Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Stephens Memorial Hospital surrounded by her children.

She was born in Waterford, Oct. 3, 1939, daughter of Richard Arvo Niemi and Gladys (Damon) Niemi. She was a graduate of Norway High School, Class of 1958. She worked on her family’s vegetable farm in Waterford for many years after her high school graduation.

Family was at the heart of everything. Laughter echoed across the farm just as often as the sounds of tractors and rustling leaves. Though life eventually led her beyond the fields of her childhood, the lessons of the land—hard work, love of family, and quiet perseverance—remained a guiding force in all that she did. She carried those values throughout her life. Marian enjoyed roller skating, ice skating and and even took fencing lessons as a child.

She married her high school sweetheart, David P. Paine, on Nov. 14, 1959. They were married for 35 wonderful years until David’s passing in 1995. Together they had four children, Debbie (Dan) Ward, David (Pat) Paine, Denise (Dick) Record and Danny (Rhonda) Paine. Marian took her children to the farm as young children where they grew up with their cousins while she continued to work.

As the children grew up, Marian got into banking. She started at South Paris Savings Bank as a teller. South Paris Savings merged with Maine Savings Bank. She then worked for Key Bank as Branch Manager before retiring in 1998.

Marian loved to travel with her husband, going to various destinations throughout their adult years. One of her favorites was Bermuda. They traveled to the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Florida, Bahamas and several other places before David’s passing. Marian traveled to Finland with her sister-in-law, Lois Niemi, where she was able to meet familial relatives. She also frequently traveled to Florida during the winter months to visit her sister, Anna and brother-in-law, Arlo. She had the liberty of traveling with her daughter, Debbie, son-in-law, Danny, and their children to Punta Cana on a couple of occasions and also to Florida when Megan and Andrew were young. She thoroughly enjoyed going on a cruise in 2008 with Debbie and a group of people including her niece, Penny Jackson.

Marian not only loved to travel, she loved being part of a big family. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had her own special bond with each and every one of them. She loved going to the casino, bowling, doing puzzles, and enjoyed chasing her children around York Beach, where the family vacationed nearly every summer. A tradition that her children continued into their adult years. She especially loved being there for her children and her grandchildren’s sporting events. She loved her family members deeply.

Marian was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She instilled family values into her children. Holidays were very important to Marian Her entire family – children, spouses, grandchildren and their spouses and great-grandchildren, never missed a holiday together. She may have shook her head a time or two as there may have been a few food fights. Although, she never hesitated to participate in throwing the food! Nevertheless, she was the Matriarch of the family after David’s passing.

Marian is survived by her children; grandchildren, Joshua Paine (Kami), Andrew Ward (Miranda), Justin Paine, Megan Ward, Nicholas Record (Alisha), Sadie Annance (Peter), Garrett Record, Marissa Paine (Frank), Daniel Paine; great-grandchildren, Kirrabelle, Riotte, Bruinn and Theorri Paine, Jackson and Sullivan Ward, Pryson and Meadow Record, Eleanor and Amelia Annance; and numerous nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her sister, Anna Wadsworth and sister-in-law, Nancy Burns.

She was predeceased by her parents; sisters Edna Niemi and Helen Edmunds, brother, Eddie Niemi and his wife, Lois Niemi and brother-in-law, Arlo Wadsworth. She was also predeceased by her sisters-in-law, Polly Parks (George), Doris Day (Earland “Babe”), Betty Knight (Dale), Barbara Saleeby, Beverly Merrifield (Lloyd), Judy Arris (Roger), Erna Pierce, Rama Snoddy and brothers-in-law, Robert, Reggie, Lawrence (Sally), Frank Paine and Donald Burns.

The family would like to thank the staff at Norway Center for their compassionate care during the last five months of our mother’s life and special thanks to the staff at Beacon Hospice Care and Stephens Memorial Hospital for their gentle presence, comforting words, and skillful care that made an enormous difference for our mother’s last week of life and for our whole family. You provided peace of mind, knowing that our mother was in the most caring hands. Your compassion is a true gift.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, May 3, at Norway Pine Grove Cemetery at 1 p.m. with a Celebration of Life immediately following at the Oxford Rec Center on King Street in Oxford.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

American Cancer Society

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Topsham, ME 04086