Passages

compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Daureen Ann Desveaux, 78, of Sanford, died peacefully at home on Wednesday April 24, 2024. She was born in Dover, NH on Sept. 7, 1945, the daughter of Raymond and Beatrice (Laronde) Barton. She attended St. Mary’s Academy for 12 years. Upon her graduation, she met and married her husband of 56 years, Paul Desveaux and together they raised three children. When the youngest of their children entered school, Daureen started her career with the Sanford School Department, where she worked for over 30 years. She considered her coworkers to be great friends. Daureen was an avid shopper and loved gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time with family. Later in her life, Daureen and Paul took up running, doing many races with various members of the family including 5K and 10K races and a few half marathons. Daureen was predeceased by her husband, Paul Desveaux in 2020 and by her son, Michael in 1990. She is survived by her children, Karen (Rick) Gouin and Marc Desveaux of Sanford as well as three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings, Mike Barton and partner, Sharon Heath of Lebanon, Kevin Barton and his wife, Suzanne of Rye, NH, Geri Clifford and her husband, Tom of Rye, NH and Patricia Barton of Somersworth, NH and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours were April 29 at Carll-Heald Funeral Home and a graveside service was held at the St. Ignatius Cemetery on Tuesday, April 30. Read her full obituary here.

Robert M. Libby Sr. (Rob) died April 23, 2024, just days before his 73^rd birthday. He was born in Sanford on April 27, 1951, to Franklin and Francis Libby. He grew up in Sanford and attended Sanford schools. As a child he loved venturing out with his friends and visiting Babe’s store. He enjoyed telling stories of his teen years and how they created a mock car in the kitchen to help him learn to operate the shifter. As a teen, Rob was always one to push his limits. He graduated from Sanford High School in 1970. He later enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as an instrument repairman aboard the USS America during the Vietnam War. Rob returned home in 1976 and was honorably discharged from the Navy. He went to Central Maine Vocational-Technical Institute for major building construction and did carpentry work until he entered the apprentice program at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he worked until he retired in 2007. He created plans for a home for his family and built it himself in Alfred. Rob’s favorite pastime, by far, was spending time with his grandkids. He enjoyed every minute of watching them learn and grow. He was always their biggest fan on the sidelines, waiting with a smile and hug, win or lose. His other great passion was just sitting out on the deck enjoying the sunshine and watching the wildlife. He loved venturing on his Harley and was fond of the blues. He was always willing to help others. He leaves behind two children, Robert Libby II and Brittany (Libby) Gunthro. A service will be held at New Beginning Church on May 8 at 11 am with interment at the Southern Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Springvale. Read his full obituary here.

Nancy Jean (Facer) Poindexter passed away the morning of Monday, April 22, 2024, after a brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Nancy was born in Sanford on May 30, 1947, before her family moved to Southern California, where she spent her childhood and a portion of her young adult life. A graduate of Sylmar High School in Sylmar, CA, Nancy moved back to Maine with her partner, Betsy, in 1981 to raise her family. In addition to raising their children, together Nancy and Betsy operated a small sheep farm and a successful telecommunications business in Troy, Maine. Nancy also worked as a phlebotomist from 2006 until her retirement in 2014, where she especially excelled at working with young cancer patients. She was an avid reader, loved to be in her garden, and enjoyed both knitting and crocheting. Family was everything to Nancy; she frequently enjoyed large family gatherings where she was often able to showcase her wicked sense of humor. Nancy is predeceased by both of her parents, Charles and Theresa (Therrien) Facer, and two of her siblings, sister Patricia Facer-Blythe and brother Thomas Facer. She is survived by her partner, Elizabeth (Betsy) Kirk; three children, Kelly (Poindexter) Hewins, James Poindexter and Robert Poindexter, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. At Nancy’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Instead, she asked friends to plant something beautiful. Read her full obituary here.

Simonne (Sim) Rivard, 87, a lifelong resident of Sanford, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024. Sim was born on Dec. 4, 1936, in Sanford to Albert and Marie Lavalley. She graduated from Saint Ignatius High School and married her lifelong companion, Louis (Louie) Rivard, on Nov. 27, 1954. Together, they raised five children while she worked full time in the family business, Lavalley Lumber. During her tenure in the business, Sim developed a strong personality, as one might expect from a woman who succeeded in a business world that was, at that time, dominated by men, but she also had a much softer side. Much like her father, Albert, Sim was an exceedingly generous person and was willing to help anyone in need, whether they required financial or emotional support. Sim and Louie wintered in Florida, where they enjoyed walking, biking and card games with friends and family. Sim transferred her love of home gardening to their winter home but always looked forward to returning to Sanford to maintain her flower beds and shrubs, go strawberry picking to make jam, and search the woods and blueberry plains for native blueberries for blueberry cake. Sim was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, her brother Phillip Lavalley, her son Mark Rivard and her daughter Nancy LaRoche. She is survived by her sister Sylvia Libbey, her sister-in-law Marlene Lavalley, her children Marilyn St Jean, Michael (Anne) Rivard and John (Michelle) Rivard, her nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 10, from 1 to 2:30 pm at Black Funeral Home, with a graveside service following at 3 pm at St. Ignatius Cemetery. Read her full obituary here.

Robert (Bob) Haven Stocker, 77, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Lee Memorial Hospital in North Fort Myers, Florida. Bob was born June 9, 1946, in Sanford, the son of the late Chesley E. Stocker and Virginia L. (Mooers) Stocker. He grew up in Shapleigh, graduating from Sanford High School and from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute with an associate degree. He was with the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam War as an aircraft repair machinist for four years until 1970. He spent 17 years working at Sylvania Lighting and 21 years at General Electric, where he retired as a meters and aircraft engine tool and die maker. Bob loved to spend his time on the water sailing, fishing, and boating. He was with the Coast Guard Auxiliary out of Saco for five years. Bob was a follower of Christ at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Portland. He volunteered his time with the church and with the SDA Path Finders. He spent his retirement between homes in Maine and North Fort Myers. He looked forward to spring in Maine, planting his garden and enjoying Shapleigh Lake. He is survived by his wife, Pauline I. Landry-Stocker; a sister, Ann Lunny; a brother, Warren Stocker; a daughter, Laurie L. (Stocker) Provost; a son, Robert C. Stocker; stepdaughter Lynda (Landry) Lawrence; stepdaughter, Leona (Landry) Cahill; stepson, Reo J. Landry, Jr., and grandchildren. Bob will be missed dearly by his family. Visiting time will be on Thursday, May 23, at 11 am at the Carll-Heald and Black Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at noon. Burial will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Read his full obituary here.