PORTLAND — Larayne S. Mears, 83, of Portland, died April 28 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, surrounded by family and friends.

The daughter of Frederick S. Tague and Edith (Fernald) Tague, she was born Oct. 12, 1931, in Stamford, Connecticut. She later moved to Portland with her family, attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School.

Larayne married Donald H. Mears Jr. in Portland on Nov. 5, 1949, and they raised their children in the city.

For over 20 years, Larayne was employed at Maine Medical Center as a medical secretary for Dr. Philip Lape. She continued working in the medical field until her retirement.

Mears was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Portland, where every Sunday she sang as a soloist on WGAN’s live radio broadcast. She later attended Royal Ridge Church of Scarborough, and was an active member of its choir.

Her greatest joys were family and music, especially singing. She took voice lessons in Boston, and sang professionally at weddings and also as part of a choir with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

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Mears is survived by her husband of 64 years, Donald H. Mears Jr., of Portland; her daughter, Diane (Mears) Herrick, of Portland; several cousins; her caregiver, Kim Tanner; and her “grand-dog,” Mellon.

The family extends tanks to Tanner for her care, and to the staff at Cedars and at Gosnell House.

A funeral was scheduled to be held Tuesday, May 5, at 11 a.m. at Jones-Rich-Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Mears’ memory be made to the Center for Grieving Children, 555 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04103, or to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough ME 04074.

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