Passages

compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Ronnie Carlton Bell, 81, of Sanford, died on Tuesday, May 8, 2024, at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford. Ronnie was born on May 16, 1942, in Jasper, Florida. He grew up in Lakeland, Florida and lived for 33 years in Canton, NC, before moving to Sanford, where he came to be a missionary helper in the Calvary Baptist Church. Ronnie worked all his adult life until retirement as an auto body repairer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Surviving are his wife, Tammy Bell; daughter Tracy (Van) Reid, son Todd (Amy) Bell; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, The home-going celebration was held on Wednesday, May 15, at 10:30 am at the Calvary Baptist Church. The family received friends from 9 am before the funeral. Read his full obituary at https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/ronnie-bell-2024

Ronald Roger Daigle, 81, of Sanford died peacefully on April 30, 2024, at home. Ronald was born on April 9, 1943, in Sanford to Claude and Irene (Cyr) Daigle. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and was an Air Force veteran. He learned the trade of meat cutting from an uncle. This knowledge prepared him for work at A&P and at Roger’s Supa Dolla, where he worked until retirement. He was active in the Lafayette Social Club in Sanford. In his free time, he enjoyed going to the casino and doing handyman chores around the house. Ronald is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Lisa Melvin of Windham, stepson Scott Webber of Hiram, son Brian Daigle, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother Gerald Daigle of Portland. He was preceded in death by his stepson Jason Webber and sister Anita Daigle. No services are planned at this time. Read his obituary at https://memorials.bibbersautumngreen.com/ronald-daigle/5426616/index.php

Lorraine Legere, 95, of Sanford, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 4, 2024, at Huntington Common in Kennebunk. She was born on Feb. 6, 1929, to Alphonse and Odile Mercier Therrien. She grew up on the East Side in Sanford and attended the former Holy Family School and later was employed by Goodall Worsted. She married Emile Legere in1949 and together they built their home in Sanford. She loved cooking and creating new recipes, working in her flower gardens, growing and selling her raspberries, and taking her daily walks with Emile. When her family was grown, she worked at Brooks Woolen and Tennford Weaving until she was 71. She and Emile loved to travel. She was predeceased by her husband Emile, her twin boys and her daughter Doris Angela. She is survived by her three children Rachel (Patrick) Nason, Stella Furness and Ernest (Lynn) Legere. She has seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church on Saturday, May 11, and burial followed at St. Ignatius Cemetery. Read her full obituary at https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/lorraine-legere.

Courtney J. Straffin, 33, of North Berwick, passed away peacefully in Maine Medical Center, on May 4, 2024 from complications of diabetes. Courtney was born in Sanford and graduated from Noble High School in 2009 from the special education department.   She worked part time at Waban under the Secure RMS program.  Courtney loved being involved in community service. Whether it was helping at the William Hill Fire Association raffles, bingo, breakfasts or the Millfield Festival, she just loved being involved and helping in any way she could. She had a special bond with her grandparents, Larry and Barbara Straffin, who raised her from age 3.  They took her everywhere and involved her in many community events.  She loved attending powwows locally in Wells and as far away as North Conway. Courtney was predeceased by her grandmother, Barbara Straffin. She will be greatly missed by her grampa, Larry Straffin of North Berwick; her mother, Michelle Straffin of Sanford; brothers Zachary and Tyler; sister Adelyn (Tiffany), and many aunts, uncles and cousins and the community who opened their arms to her. A time of visitation will be held Tuesday, May 21, from 6 to 8 pm at the Johnson Funeral Home, 26 Market St., North Berwick. See her full obituary at https://www.johnsonfuneralhomeme.com/obituary/Courtney-Straffin