Lina Rita Rondeau, 79

Deeply religious woman

Lina Rita Rondeau, 79, of Westbrook, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2006, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Westbrook on April 8, 1927, the daughter of Alfred and Alice (Dostie) Gagnon. She attended St. Hyacinth and Westbrook schools. In 1944 Lina was named Miss Westbrook. In her younger years she worked at the S.D. Warren Company. On Jan. 16, 1950, she married Eugene A. Rondeau. They resided in Westbrook, where they raised four sons.

Lina was a deeply religious woman who attended St. Hyacinth Parish all of her life. After her husband passed away in 1985, Lina wintered in Boca Raton, Fla. She was an active participant in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, where she made many lifelong friends.

Lina was predeceased by her husband; her sister, Violetta Swett; and her brothers, Roger and Philip Gagnon.

She is survived by two brothers, G. Heny Gagnon and his wife Jeanette of Westbrook and Alfred Gagnon and his wife Joan of Scarborough; four sons, Stacy and his wife Cindy of Dacula, Ga., David and his wife Cheryl of Standish, Ronald and his wife Kim of Buxton, and James and his wife Heather of Westbrook; 10 grandchildren, Allison Glaze, Katie Glaze, Paul Glaze, and Jean Pierre Rondeau, all of Georgia, Nicole Rondeau, Allison Turner, Aaron Rondeau, Samuel Rondeau, Adam Rondeau, and Hailey Rondeau, all of Maine.

The family would like to express its thanks for the care provided to Lina from the nurses and staff at the Mercy Oncology Center, and also to the nurses and staff of the Seaside Nursing and Rehabilitation Centerfor the tender, loving care given to Lina in her final days.

Peter H. Snow, 57

Stock car racing buff

Peter H. Snow, 57, of Scarborough, passed away on July 29, 2006, after a long battle with MS at the Hospice House.

He was born Sept. 27, 1948. He worked for the South Portland Fire Department until his diagnosis and then went on to be an Operating Engineer with Local 4 until he was unable to work.

Gardening was his passion and he was a devoted fan of stock car racing. He also loved spending time with his family and friends.

Peter was predeceased by his father, John H. Snow of Florida. He is survived by his mother Yvonne McKenzie and step-father Bob McKenzie of Yuma, Ariz.; brother Tom H. Snow and niece Erica L. Snow of Scarborough; nephew James H. Snow and great-niece Grace C. Snow of Westbrook; and close companion Kelly Colbath of Naples.

Alma Marie Whiting, 104

Famous for handmade goods

Alma Marie Whiting, widow of William B. Whiting died July 25, 2006, at Southridge Rehabilitation & Living Center in Biddeford, at the age of 104.

She was born, the eldest of ten children of Edmond and Cecile (Doiron) Legere, Oct. 24, 1901, in Rogersville, New Brunswick, Canada.

She moved to Maine as a young girl. She attended local schools, and later worked at Union Station where she met her husband to be, William B. Whiting.

They had a home built on Cobb Street in Rosemont, Portland during the height of the great depression, and both worked at whatever jobs were available in order to keep their home. They raised three sons there and even managed to buy a small cottage at Campbell Shores, Little Sebago Lake in North Windham. Their children and grandchildren spent many happy hours there.

Alma became famous for her homemade bread, braided rugs and colorful afghans.

She is predeceased by two sons, Donald W. and his wife June and Eugene R. She was also predeceased by a grandson, Richard; her brother Edmund; and sisters, Marie Town, Helen Valliere, Eva Bouffard and Anna Willey.

Surviving are her son Robert A. Whiting Sr. and daughter-in-law Joan of Denmark; grandchildren, Robert of Scarborough, Wendy Dolci and her husband Robert of Sunnyvale, Calif., Pamela Lewis and her husband Richard of Scarborough, William and his wife Stephanie of Windham, and Julie Whiting of Saco; five great- grandchildren; Mallory and Alyssa Lewis, Ryan and Andrew Whiting, and Sophie Whiting.

She is also survived by a brother and three sisters, Alice Legere, Christine L’Heureux and her husband Walter, Lillian Guilmette and her husband Paul, all of Sanford; Frederick Legere and his wife Lorraine of Westbrook.

Caelan Emmanuel Saunders

Caelan Emmanuel Saunders, infant son of Pamela and Douglas Saunders, was born on July 19, 2006, and died thereafter on July 21, 2006, at Maine Medical Center.

Caelan is survived by his twin brother, Griffyn Zedidiah Saunders; maternal grandparents Patricia and Richard Castrucci of Laconia, N.H.; paternal grandparents Terry and Kathleen Saunders of Windham; and Anita and Ron Jahoda of Port Townsend, Wa.; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Florence Flossie McPhail, 80

Conscientious, hard worker

Florence Flossie McPhail, 80, of McCarthar Circle, South Portland passed away July 19, 2006, following complications from heart surgery.

Flossie was born March 20, 1926, and was one of nine children of Percy and Catherine Allen. She is survived by six sisters, Janet Dailey of Florida, Jean Grey of Massachusetts, Ruth Kohls, Mary Grandmaison, Carolyn Loren, all of California, and Sandra Manter of Portland. She is also survived by one brother, David Allen of Bar Mills, and was predeceased by her brother, Lawrence Allen.

Flossie was predeceased by husbands Ellsworth Peavey and Jack McPhail. She was the proud mother of three sons, Daniel Peavey of Iowa, Edward Peavey of Washington, and Richard Peavey who is deceased.

Flossie was employed for a number of years as a C.N.A. for local nursing homes. She was recognized as a conscientious and hard worker.

After retirement, Flossie continued to use her nursing skills by opening her home and heart, and caring for three family members dying from cancer. When her mother was placed in a nursing home, Florence spent a large portion of each day supervising her care and providing support.

Florence had been in poor health for a number of years, but maintained a determined attitude to do things for herself. She will be remembered by her family as an independent lady who, despite adversities, did what was necessary to survive.

Flossie, may you rest in the arms of God.

Lorin T. Dyer, 85

Enjoyed race track, scenic drives

Lorin T. Dyer, 85, passed away July 27, 2006, at his home. Born on Sept. 14, 1920, in Dexter, to Percy C. Dyer and Irene G. Dyer, he was the eldest of three sons. He attended Dexter schools.

Lorin married Millicent Martin, in Dexter, and the couple moved to South Portland, to raise their family. He worked at New England Shipbuilders as a crane operator, and performed other various jobs. In 1961, he joined the Carpenters Union, and he worked as a carpenter until his retirement in 1983.

Mr. Dyer enjoyed his trips to the race track, scenic drives, cooking, and spending time with his family.

He was predeceased by his lovely wife, Millicent; his brothers Floyd and O’Neil; and his daughter Diane.

He’s survived by his sons, David Dyer and his wife Patty of South Portland, and Dale Dyer and his wife Jean of Saco; grandchildren: Denise Littlefield and husband David of Scarborough, Kathy Dyer of South Portland, Cindy Dyer of Saco, Melanie Francis and her husband Tim of Buxton, Amy Lovejoy and husband Dennis of Buxton, Brian Dyer and wife Mindy of Saco, and Karen DiCenso and husband Keith of Steep Falls. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Samantha, Nicole, and Dennis Lovejoy, Dylan and Lauren Francis, Ashley Littlefield, Bella Hankston/Dyer, and Olivia Dyer.

Margery W. Eliscu, 81

Award-winning columnist

Margery W. Eliscu, 81, national award-winning columnist, died peacefully on July 27, 2006, at Piper Shores in Scarborough, following weeks of visits and tender loving care from her family and other loved ones, and after a long and valiant fight with cancer.

Born on April 9, 1925, in New York, N.Y., she was the daughter of Richard A. and Estelle Wolff and the sister of Baseball Hall Of Fame sportscaster Bob Wolff.

Marge grew up in Woodmere, Long Island, N.Y., and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1942. She studied music (voice) at Penn State.

In 1943, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry, while he was on active duty in the Army Air Force stationed in Montgomery, Ala. Following WWII, she and Larry moved back to the New York suburbs with their infant son.

In early adulthood, she wrote for a weekly newspaper and magazines, including Babytalk. Later, as her four children grew older, she enjoyed a professional career as a singer in Westchester county, performing in churches and for community groups.

Wonderful memories of attending Camp Waziyatah in the Harrison area brought Marge and family to Vacationland every summer starting in 1958. By 1970, they made a permanent move to Maine.

Marge resurrected her writing career with a humor column for regional newspapers in Maine and New Hampshire, including the Advertiser-Democrat in Norway. For the past 23 years, her Coffee Break column has been in the Portland Sunday Telegram. She produced a column for nearly every week until July, 2006.

She loved to write, loved her readers and was always thrilled to hear from or meet them. She was an active member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. In 1995, she won third prize in the humor category. Her writing is also included in the Maine Women Writer’s display at Westbrook College.

Other accomplishments include a book entitled Russell Baker, Erma Bombeck & Me; a piece in the anthology In Stitches; sample writing used in the No Child Left Behind program; and a full-length screenplay, coauthored with her daughter Kathy-the-nurse, (a family comedy yet to be produced.) She was a frequent public speaker for community groups, with an affinity for addressing cancer survivors.

The home Marge and Larry provided was filled with music, and all four children made music and theatre a part, of their lives; including professional performing.

She loved Broadway musicals, and took a special pleasure and pride in seeing her grandchildren perform so often and so well. She did not let her illness keep her from thoroughly enjoying life, and even while recuperating from a setback in May, she went to every performance of Godspell at Deering H.S. to watch her grandson Will portray Jesus. True to her characteristic exuberance for life, she arose from her wheelchair to give the young performers a standing ovation. Her love of life enabled her to enjoy each day and those who knew her will remember many outings, lunches-out, celebrations, holidays, and the enormous volumes of funny stories accumulated over the years and repeated frequently. She enjoyed playing bridge with the girls and participated in more than one Red Hat Club!

Marge is predeceased by a son, Robert of Zaandam, Holland. She cherished and is survived by Laurence, her husband of 63 years; daughter Laurie of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.; daughter Kathy of Westbrook; son Steve of Dover, N.H.; 13 grandchildren: Lili, Kathy, Christie, Tommy, Cassie, Sally, William, K.T., Aria, Steven, Lula, Misha, and David; and two great-grandchildren: Emma and David; her grandsons-in-law Paul and Jeremy; and Kathy’s fiance Ted; as well as dear and close family friends whom Marge truly considered family. They know who they are and how much pleasure Marge took in each and every one of them.

In her last days, her daughter Kathy asked if she had any wishes. Yes, she said, that everyone should be happy and well.

In Marge’s memory, it is requested that everyone who reads this hug their loved ones and laugh together!

Our deepest thanks to the incredible staff at MMC, the wonderful, warm nurses and staff at Piper Shores, Dr. Peter Emery, Dr. Hector Tarraza, Arlyn O’Rourke, Dr. Susanna Campos, Hospice of Southern Maine, and the American Cancer Society. Every person who helped take care of Marge in the last part of her life made a huge difference, and her family is truly grateful.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week by Independent Death Care, 471 Deering Ave., Portland.Tel: 207-878-3246.

In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes may make a donation to: Robert Eliscu Music Scholarship Fund, Norway Savings Bank.

Or, in Marge-style, take a friend out to lunch!

Michael Joseph Greeley Jr., 79

Portland Fire Department retiree

Michael Joseph Greeley Jr., 79, died Wednesday, July 26,2006, at Sedgewood Commons after a long illness.

He was born in Portland on Nov. 15, 1926, a son of Michael J. Sr. and Barbara Foley Greeley. He attended Cathedral Grammar School and Cheverus High School.

Mr. Greeley served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Alaska. During his service in the Navy, he once spent 18 months at sea, where he did not see land during this time. Mr. Greeley was involved in the recovery efforts of the U.S.S. Franklin.

Mr. Greeley retired from the Portland Fire Department after more than 20 years of service.

He was involved in the ILA Union and Amvets. He was a member of the Harold T. Loring VFW Lodge, and participated in the Holy Name Society at St. Pius X Church.

He is predeceased by his parents; and his former wife, Georgia Mullins Greeley who passed away 13 years ago; his brothers, Martin Greeley and John Greeley; his sisters, Anne Vickerson and Mary Kelley.

He is survived by his daughter, Charlotte Hallworth and her husband Richard of Boxford, Mass.; his son, Michael J. Greeley of Chicago, Ill.; sister-in-laws, Barbara Greeley of Scarborough, Joan Greeley of Westbrook; and Stephanie Dakin and her husband John of Gray; his brother-in-law, Donald Parsons of Hampden; his grandchildren who were the lights of his life, Lauren and Eric Hallworth; his nieces and nephews, Mary, David, and Marcia Parons, Carol and Harry Vickerson, Theresa, Marty, Danny, Cathy, Michael, and Joe Greeley, Tony and Todd Donnelley, Barbie, John, and Andy Greeley, Mary Margaret and Patricia Kelley; and his Sedgewood Commons Family in Falmouth

Ruth L. Corey, 80

Loved to travel

Ruth L. Corey, 80, of Portland, died Friday, July 28, 2006, at the Barron Center.

She was born in Biddeford on Dec. 10, 1925, the daughter of Fred and Nellie Watson Wallace, and attended Biddeford schools.

Mrs. Corey was a retired employee of the Portland School Department, where she worked as a custodian and matron. She worked primarily at the North School and Portland High School, and retired in 1990, at the age of 65.

Mrs. Corey loved to travel, and especially loved the ocean. She also enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. More than anything she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also spent many hours as a volunteer with the Salvation Army.

She was predeceased by her husband Eldridge R. Corey; and two sisters, Clara Stone and Betty Corey. Surviving are two sons, Robert Corey and his wife Ellie of Scarborough, and Michael Corey and his fiance Beth Gosselin of Hiram; two daughters, Nancy Anderson of Cape Elizabeth, and Lillian Nile and her companion Paul Olas of Portland; two sisters, Esther Wallace of Massachusetts and Annie Wallace of Biddeford; and many grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Stephen M. Harmon, 63

Self-taught carpenter

Stephen M. Harmon, 63, of Crescent City, Fla. and formerly of Maine, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2006, at Putnam Community Medical Center after a long illness.

Steve was born in Lewiston on Aug. 1, 1942. Steve and his younger brother, Earl, were adopted from a large family in the late 1940s by Eldred and Elizabeth Harmon. He grew up and attended schools in Scarborough, and was a proficient, self-taught carpenter-cabinetmaker, working in Maine, Vermont and Florida.

Steve enjoyed hunting, fishing and his many pet animals – especially numerous dogs named Sam.

His mother, Elizabeth, died in 1983. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Eldred & Patricia Harmon of Scarborough; two daughters, Deborah Danis of Biddeford, and Sherry Trauth and her husband Donnie of Bonaire, Ga.; two sons, Robert E. Harmon of Portland and Stephen F. Harmon; his brother Earl of Groesbeck, Texas; stepbrother Paul Murray and wife Eva of Matinicus Island; stepsister Peggy Murray of Kennebunk; several grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Steve is also survived by his good friends and extended family, Lois, Cookie Mauldin and her mother, Emerea Grammie Fryer, and their families of Crescent City, Fla. They adopted Steve as a brother, and have taken care of him and his affairs during his illness with much love and concern, and have treated him like a member of their family.

Charles E. Queen, 77

Enjoyed walking the Eastern Prom

Charles E. Queen, 77, resident of Dalton Street in Portland died Sunday, July 23, 2006, at his residence following a long illness. He was born Dec. 24, 1928 in Portland, a son of George and Ethel (Archibald) Queen. He attended schools in Portland.

Mr. Queen served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was employed as a yardman at the Portland Terminal of the Maine Central Railroad, retiring in 1985, after over 45 years of service.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife, and had taken many trips in the U.S. including Amish Country, Washington, D.C., Williamsburg, Calif., Washington State and Ohio. Together they also enjoyed taking trips with Maine Line Tours.

Mr. Queen loved to play the lottery, especially Megabucks. He liked playing cribbage, spending time at the racetrack, keeping up with news events by reading the paper, and he also enjoyed walking on the Eastern Promenade. He mostly enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and loved to tell them stories of his old neighborhood Libbytown in Portland.

He liked to dine at the Dunstan Schoolhouse in Scarborough, and the Village in Portland, and also enjoyed taking out Italian sandwiches from Amato’s. He was an animal lover and was especially fond of his grand dog Joey.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Florence (McLinden) Queen of Portland; six children: Barbara R. Colby of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Donald W. and his wife Karen Queen of Richland, Wa.; Thomas G. and his wife Robyn Queen of So. Casco; Marjorie A. Queen of Old Orchard Beach; Mary C. Queen of Windham; and Christopher P. Queen of Portland; a sister Marjorie Opsitnik of Youngstown, Ohio; a brother Ralph and his wife Sally Queen of South Portland; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Stella May Syska, 80

Worked at South Portland Nursing Home

Stella May Syska, 80, died Saturday, July 22, 2006, at Falmouth By the Sea.

She was born on Sept. 28, 1925, in Malden, Mass., a daughter of Cleave Alexander and Bessie Presley Willey.

At the age of four, she moved to Maine. She attended South Portland schools, and was a graduate of South Portland High School.

Following high school, she married Joseph William Syska. She was later a graduate of Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland where she earned her nursing degree, and was also class valedictorian.

Mrs. Syska worked at South Portland Nursing Home as a LPN. She retired after over 20 years of service.

She was a very active woman. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, crossword puzzles, and cooking. Mrs. Syska also enjoyed music. She played the organ and piano and enjoyed singing. She also spent time traveling.

Mrs. Syska was involved in her community. She was a member of the Eastern Star, the Elm Street United Methodist Church in South Portland, where she was on the Missionary Society, and was a Camp Fire Leader for the Knightville neighborhood.

She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph William Syska; and five brothers, Lionel, Lawrence, Herbert, Kenneth, and Edward Willey.

She is survived by her son, William Syska of South Portland; two daughters, Elizabeth Betty Jean McEvoy of Fairfield, Conn., and Barbara Ann Dyer of Biddeford; one sister, Esther Smith and her husband Charles of Center Harbor, N.H.; and three grandchildren, Nathan Brewer, James Kemper, and Joseph Kemper.