WESTBROOK – Edith “DeDe” Ellen (Smith) Roma, 96, passed away of natural causes on Feb. 25, 2022 surrounded by family. Edith was born August 19, 1925 in Portland, the daughter of Edith E. (Hayes) and Charles I. Smith Sr. Edith graduated from Deering High School in 1943. She attended Gray’s Business College and was employed in the accounting office of Porteous, Mitchell and Braun, Socony Vacuum Oil Co., and A and P Warehouse.

Edith married John H. Roma in 1949 and they moved to Westbrook. After marriage she stayed at home and was a homemaker. After their children were older she sold Avon and worked at New England Calculating Service. She attended St. Mary’s Church, Westbrook.

Edith had a beautiful singing voice, and with her guitar-playing husband and fiddle-playing friend, Lucien Mathieu of Westbrook, they were the original Saccarappa Boys Band. The band would sing and play music at nursing homes and senior centers in Maine and Florida. Music was a big part of Edith and John’s life. They hosted many “pickin” parties with family and friends throughout their adult life which were full of musicians and good times. They enjoyed traveling around in their motor home to Bluegrass festivals in Maine, Nova Scotia, New York, California and Florida, where they spent 16 winters.

Edith was an amazing seamstress. She created clothes for herself, her daughter and grandchildren. She made lots of Halloween costumes for her children (even into their adult years) and grandchildren. She could mend any clothing, doing so for her own family along with anyone else who would ask her to. All to perfection.

Edith was very proud of her family and loved spending time with them all. She carried her “brag” book with photos of her children and grandchildren to show off. She enjoyed many camping trips and being upta camp in Sebago with family and friends.

She liked playing cards, word games and board games. She and her “card playing” friends met every week for many years. She loved to read. Often would finish more than one book in a day.

She was a life member of Deering Chapter #59 Order of the Eastern Star and a member and past president of Westbrook Senior Citizens Club. She bowled for many years and was a member of the Prides Corner Bowling League, and from 1965 to 1970, was league champion four years.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, John, of 53 years; and infant daughter, Jon Paula; and siblings Lockhart, Katherine, Charles, Robert, and Harold.

She is survived by her children Patrick (Joyce) of Newry, Jerry (Cheryl) of Gray, Stanley (Barbara) of Standish, Wayne (Jean) of Baldwin and Deanna (Jeffrey) Barrows of Windham; grandchildren John (Katie) Roma, Nicholas Roma, Dustin (Stacia) Roma, Mathew Roma, Elizabeth (Joe) Stover, Derrick ( Suzanne) Roma, Amy (Khanthana) Sithavady, Kristina (Bryan) Brown, Wade Roma, Melissa (Jonathan) Roma, Jenna (Kenny) Aberg, Keegan Roma; great-grandchildren Bryn and Reese Roma, Lucas and Rose Stover, Braedon, Blake, Bentley, Bryson, Walter and Arden Roma and Bode Brown, and baby girl, Aberg, on the way; also survived by her sister, Louise Dipaolo of Buxton.

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, March 15 at the Westbrook Chapel of Dolby, Blais and Segee, 35 Church St., where a funeral will be held at noon. Burial at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta will be private for family.

To express condolences and to participate in DeDe’s online tribute, please visit http://www.DolbyBlaisSegee.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to

American Cancer Society,

1 Bowdoin Mill Island, #300,

Topsham, ME 04086.

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