SANFORD — Priscilla Arlene Fortier passed away on March 7, 2015 at her home in Sanford.

She was born in Biddeford on April 8, 1942 to Oliva and Yvonne (Prince) Lariviere.

Priscilla met the love of her life Patrick while roller skating in Old Orchard Beach. “He was the cat’s meow” as she told family of their meeting back then; “he still is” she shared with her family just recently. She was a beautiful, kind woman who was passionate about several things but nothing more than her grand and great-grandchildren, often playing cards, making puzzles and baking with them. She had a green thumb and would grow 4-foot tall cherry tomato plants and had a beautiful Christmas cactus that would bloom flowers all year long. Her favorite flowers were roses and her loving husband enjoyed giving her bouquets of different colored roses throughout the year. She loved to travel. When she and Pat retired in March 1999 they took many trips and their favorite place was Las Vegas. They went several times enjoying how much it changed every time they went. She also loved the beach, collecting shells and sea glass and spent many summers at their home in Wells. The most defining aspects of Priscilla’s character were her love and compassion for others. She cared for her family and found her most sincere joy being with them during the holidays and at family gatherings. She lived in good spirits in her Catholic faith and enjoyed giving to many charities like St. Jude’s Hospital, veterans and collecting bottles for St. Thomas School. She truly was a gift to all of us and we were very fortunate to have had her in our lives. She will be missed more than words could ever say.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; two sisters, Lillian McGee and Lucille Lariviere; two brothers, Robert Lariviere and Gerard Lariviere; and a son-in-law, Timothy Turner in 1989.

Priscilla is survived by: her husband of 54 years, Patrick Fortier; four daughters, Suzanne (Fortier) Turner of Sanford, Mary (Fortier) Nason and her husband Clyde of Wells, Debbie (Fortier) Traves and her fiancé Marc Belanger of Sanford, and Nancy Fortier-Brown and her husband Robin Brown of Randolph; 13 grandchildren that were the loves of her life, Candice (Turner) Labbe and her husband David of Salem, Massachusetts; Bryce Turner and his wife Michelle of Alfred, Elijah Brown of Salem, Massachusetts, Travis Nason and his fiancé Megan Morin of Wells, Jessica Nason and her partner Todd Trefethen of Dover, New Hampshire, Tyler Traves and his wife Kerri-lyn of Sanford, Cody Traves, Alex Traves and Ethan Belanger, all from Sanford, Colby Fortier-Brown, Patrick Fortier-Brown, Amy Fortier-Brown and Adam Fortier-Brown, all from Randolph; great-grandchildren Caidyn and Dayven Trefethen of Dover, New Hampshire, Braxton Turner of Alfred, Oliver Labbe of Salem, New Hampshire due to be born in July and all future great-grandchildren who will have the honor of Mem holding them and singing “It’s A Small World” before they are born; three sisters, Therese (Lariviere) Mercer of Saco, Sr. Rita Lariviere, Sisters of Charity at St. Hycinthe, Quebec, Canada, and Estelle Lariviere of Biddeford; sister-in-law, Jeanette Lariviere of Biddeford; brother-in-law, Norman McGee of Augusta; sister-in-law, Doris Dion and her husband Albert of Sanford; sister-in-law, Georgette Fortier of Wells; brother-in-law, Philip Fortier and his wife Stella of Sanford; brother-in-law, Robert Fortier and his wife Diane of Moody; several special nieces and nephews; and her really close friends, Rita and Dolores.

Priscilla’s family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for the loving, respectful way they took care of her, especially Cheryl and Jennifer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 13 at 10 a.m. at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford. Burial will be in the spring at Notre Dame Cemetery in Springvale.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider one of Priscilla’s favorite charities.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., Sanford.

Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com.