She was born in Durham, Maine, on Aug. 26, 1919, the daughter of Louis and Damazille (Morin) Tardif Jr. She was educated in Durham schools.
She lived in Brunswick for many years where she worked for the president of Bowdoin College and several professors. In later years she also worked for Dr. Russell Pinfold as a veterinary assistant. While living in Brunswick she was always available for house sitting and companion sitting for her many elderly friends.
Cecile was an active volunteer in Brunswick. She was a member and past president of the Topsham Merry Meeters, 55 Plus, the Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary, volunteer for Tedford House, president of the local American Kennel Club and a Girl Scout leader for ten years.
Following her move to Lewiston she volunteered at St Mary’s Hospital and was very active at St. Mary’s Residence where she lived for over 16 years. After a brief illness she moved to Captain Lewis Residence to be closer to her daughter and continued to knit lap robes for nursing homes, blankets for the animal shelter and she enjoyed doing crafts with the residents.
She loved to cook, playing cards with her friends , crafts, heading several Christmas craft sales and making doll houses at St. Mary’s Residence.
On May 3, 1941, she married Remildo “Ray” Fortini at St. Peter and Paul’s Church in Lewiston. He predeceased her in 1990. She was also predeceased by her brother Nelson, who died an infant, and her two sisters Louise Soucy and Marion Ingalls.
She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn.
She is survived by her daughter Ida and her husband George Shaw of Pitttston, granddaughters Deborah Evans and husband Gregory of Ledyard, CT, Lynda Jean and husband Robert of Oakdale, CT, and Susan Terranova and husband David of Ashaway, RI, great-grandchildren Kimberly Evans, Brandon Jean and Silvana Terranova, nieces Theresa Samson, of Lewiston, Bernadette Coulombe and husband Alfred of Saco, Barbara Brooks and husband Robert of Southwick, MA and Judy Clow of Agawam, MA and several grand nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Jeffry Brown at St. Mary’s Hospital, Maine General Hospice Team and a very special thanks to Kimberly Dolly and the staff at Captain Lewis Residence for the wonderful care they gave Cecile.
At her request, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place, Auburn. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Gracelawn Memorial Park, Turner Street in Auburn. To leave a message of condolence for the Fortini family, please visit www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s ICU Unit, Maine General Hospice Care Unit or a charity of your choice.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less