Passages

Therese Barrow, Robert Fortier and Rose Marie Marchand

Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Therese “Teri” (Daigle) Barrow, 70, of Sanford died peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough on Dec. 5, 2023. She was born in New Haven, Conn., to the late Roger and Joan Daigle. She and her husband, Mark, moved to Sanford in 1983, where she met a special group of women who surrounded her with love and friendship in her final days. Teri took pride in her career as an administrative assistant at a number of local dentist offices. She had many talents, including singing, acting, knitting, sewing, and baking. She leaves behind her grandchildren Miles, Levi, Mason, Dante, Elizabeth, Sebastian, Antoni and Dylon, who called her Mimi. She nurtured their accomplishments and cherished the time she spent with them.

Her husband, Mark, daughter, Amanda and son, Matthew want to thank all the members of the Hospice House for treating Teri with the utmost respect and kindness. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. Read her full obituary here.

Robert Raymond Fortier, 81, passed away peacefully on Dec. 8, 2023. Bob, known as Bobby to his close friends and family and “Pepere” to his eight grandchildren, was an adventurer at heart. He was voted most likely to travel in high school and he took this on full force once his children were launched. He and Diane (Lasante), his treasured wife of 59 years, made many visits to Hawaii, spent winters in Florida, traveled to China, and toured much of Europe. Bob met Diane when she was a senior at St. Ignatius High School, where he had graduated in 1960. They had four children, Anne-Marie, Renee, Peter and Angela. He was then blessed with eight grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, Abigail, Caroline, Isabel, Aiden, Olivia and Ella. Bob’s family was his shining light. He was happiest when he was with his children, his brothers and sisters, and their children. He loved to laugh, and he loved to make others laugh. More than anything, Bob was an extremely hard worker. He started his career as a purchasing agent at Aerofab in Sanford and later took over the dry-cleaning business that his father, Alex, had started. The gift shop that he created was his pride and joy, providing his customers with affordable quality gifts. Bob and Diane moved to Wells in 1997 after living their entire lives in Sanford. He kept busy working seasonally at Harbor Candy in Ogunquit. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Peter, his parents Alex and Rose (Rouleau) Fortier, his brothers Leo, Rene, and Patrick, and his sisters, Therese and Doris. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 11 am at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Ignatius Cemetery. Read his full obituary here.

Rose Marie (Bernier) Marchand, 99, of Sanford died Nov. 17, 2023. She was born in Saint Isadore, Quebec in 1924, the daughter of Napoleon Bernier and Angelina (Dubois) Bernier. She married Adrien Marchand and together they had three children, Giles, Dennis and Liliane. After immigrating to the United States in 1953, she settled in Sanford to raise her children while working as a seamstress. She was devoted to her faith and was a lifelong member of the Holy Family Catholic Church. She is survived by her daughter, Liliane Lovejoy, and her five grandchildren, Scott, Jason, Heather, Aaron and Danielle. Her legacy continues with six great grandsons, one great granddaughter as well as three great-great grandsons. She will be dearly missed and always remembered. Services will be held in the spring, at a date to be announced later. Read her full obituary here.

Louis “Ruby” Robichaud, 94, of Sanford passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Dec. 5, 2023, at the Southern Maine Health Center in Biddeford. He was born in Sanford on Feb. 10, 1929, to Hypolyte and Cleophe (Lachance) Robichaud, the youngest of 11 children. After attending Sanford schools, he enlisted in the Marines and served proudly in Pearl Harbor and Okinawa. After the service he returned to Sanford, where he met Evelyn Boudreau. They were married on Oct. 6, 1951. Together they would raise four children, Rick, Raymond, Donna and Linda, and celebrate their 72nd anniversary in October. Louis was employed at Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and retired in 1991. He was an avid sports fan and athlete, playing and coaching baseball, softball, football and bowling. He loved to golf and enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, his four children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Louis was a devoted member of the Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be held at a later date at St. Therese of Lisieux at Holy Family Church in Sanford, with burial at St Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford. Read his full obituary here.

Randy Scott Searles, 61, of Sanford passed away on Nov. 25, 2023. He was born in Biddeford on May 24, 1962, to Carl Ross and Patricia (Crowley Ross) Searles. At the age of one, he was adopted by Patricia’s new husband, Ronald Searles, who raised him. Randy was disabled for many years, but when he could work, he was a painter for Rainbow Painters. Randy was a kind-hearted man who was full of spunk. He loved to joke and laugh with his family and friends, oftentimes with a devilish grin. Growing up, Randy loved to tinker with cars and build things. He loved to play video games, loved the color green, enjoyed listening to music, building model cars, watching the Seattle Sea Hawks, and spending time walking the trails with his wife, Elaine. Randy is survived by his loving wife and by six children, Crystal, Anthony, Randy, Lakiesha, Devin and Elizabeth, six grandchildren and remaining siblings, Patty, Penny, Samantha, and Sherri. He is predeceased by his sister, Patricia Ross, his biological father, Carl Ross, brother Ernie Ross, and mother, Patricia Searles. Read his full obituary here.

Eleanor “Ellie” M. Sims, 84, of Springvale, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at the Lodges Care Center in Springvale, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Dec. 26, 1938, in Everett, Mass., the daughter of Angelo Campello and Rose Vigorito. She spent her formative years in Everett, attending local schools. Despite facing the challenges of being widowed at a young age, Ellie approached life with resilience and strength that inspired all who knew her. She was a dedicated homemaker and caregiver, raising her five children with love and devotion. Ellie found joy in spending her winters in Largo, Florida. She had a vibrant spirit where her sassy, sweet nature was complemented by a quick wit that endeared her to many. Family was at the center of her world, and she cherished moments spent with her grandchildren, often gathering for cookouts and enjoying the warmth of being at home. She is predeceased by her husband Robert J. Sims, three daughters, Donna Smiarowski, Deborah Sims and Pamela Sims, a grandson Edward Sims and her son-in-law William Renneisen. Survivors include a son Howard Sims of Lynn, Mass., daughter Alice Renneisen of Springvale, six grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. A memorial service celebrating Ellie’s life was held on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale. Her memorial page can be viewed here.

Lizzie May Cote, 93, of Sanford, died Sunday Dec. 10, 2023. She was born in Sanford on June 26, 1930, the daughter of Ernest and Rena (Durgin) Littlefield. She grew up in Waterboro, Rochester, N.H., and Sanford. She met her husband, Donald, when both of their families lived near the airport after World War II. They were married in 1952 and shared 50 years of marriage before his death in 2002. Lizzie worked at Pioneer Plastics and then the Hallmark Store. When she wasn’t working, Lizzie enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. She liked taking her children to local lakes and ponds to swim when they were growing up. Mrs. Cote was predeceased by her husband, her daughter, Patricia Anderson and her siblings, Buster, Arthur and Rose Littlefield. She is survived by her sons, Donald J. Cote Jr. and his wife Jeanne of Sanford and Roger Cote of Springvale; her siblings, Herbert, Stanley, William, Joyce and Richard Littlefield; her four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at the Oakdale Cemetery in the spring. View her memory book here.