Jean C. Camire

WEST KENNEBUNK — Jean C. Camire, 81, of West Kennebunk, died on March 5, 2014 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, following a brief illness. 

She was born on Oct. 27, 1932 in Lynn, Mass., a daughter of Orin and Mary (MacIsaac) Morse. 

She attended schools in Lynn, Mass., Kennebunk and Wells. 

Jean grew up in Kennebunk and Wells, and worked at Leach’s Nursing Home and Kesslen Shoe during her youth.

On March 31, 1951, she married her one and only love, Roger R. Camire, at St. Monica’s Church in Kennebunk. Jean’s life ambition from a very young age was to be married, have a home and raise her family. This was her life’s work, which she loving and graciously accomplished.

In addition to raising her family, Jean worked alongside her husband, Roger. During the early 1960s, Roger and Jean started running a used car and parts business from their home in West Kennebunk. They spent the next decade working together building this business, while diversifying their interest in real estate. Upon their retirement in 1982, Roger and Jean owned and managed nearly 100 properties and rental units. They then spent the next 31 winters in Florida, always to return in the spring to celebrate Easter with their family.

Jean was a lifelong member of Saint Martha’s Church and volunteered in all aspects. She was best known in recent years as the “mitten lady” at the church fair and always had at least 50 pairs to donate. She will be forever remembered by her great-grandchildren for her noodle soup, sweet kisses and gentle hugs.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by: a brother, Daniel Morse in 1992; a daughter-in-law, Sandra (Lord) Camire, in 2000; and a son-in-law, Jerry Jones, in 2013. 

She is survived by: her husband of 62 years, Roger R. Camire; three daughters, Elaine Riley, Linda Gibson and her husband Gerald, all of Kennebunk, and Cindy Jones of West Kennebunk; one son, Dannie Camire of Wells; four grandchildren, Louis Camire, Matthew Gibson, Samantha Nason and Rebecca Jones-Murray; four great-grandchildren, Karissa Nason, Jacob Gibson, Julianna Nason and Isabella Camire; one sister, Joan Thurston of Alfred; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Dixon of Kennebunk; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014 at Hope Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at St. Martha’s Church in Kennebunk. Spring burial will be in Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. To share condolences online, visit www.hopememorial.com.

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