Passages

Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Rose A. (Doiron) Melanson, 98, of Sanford, Maine, passed away peacefully on August 27th, 2024 in Sanford. Rose was born on September 18th, 1925, to Stanislas and Marie Anne (Guillemette) Belanger in Sanford. Growing up with eight siblings, her fond childhood memories included playing the card game Hand and Foot and attending the local Catholic school which shaped her strong faith. A hard worker from an early age, she began employment at the woolen mill in Manchester, NH, before moving on to Jagger Mills in Sanford and eventually working at the shoe shop in Dover, NH. She and her first husband, Omer Doiron raised two children, Doris Richard and Donald Doiron. She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and grandmother who took great pride in her family, including her five grandchildren. Rose cherished the many years she was blessed with her growing family, always opening her home and arms to them when they needed her. Her loved ones will treasure the memory of her homemade butterscotch haystacks and fiery spirit—often sparked by her first husband’s constant teasing. She loved crafting and always had a project going. Her great-grandchildren, nine in total, fondly recall the Halloween garage parties hosted by Rose and her sister Irene, and the lively Skip-Bo nights that brought everyone together around the dining room table. She was also blessed with four great-great-grandchildren. Rose was predeceased by her parents, her five brothers—Leo, Gerard, Emile, Henry, and Roland Belanger—as well as her beloved husbands, Omer Doiron and Mike Melanson. She is survived by her loving children, Doris and Donald, two sisters, Irene Melanson and Lorraine Thibodeau, one brother, Raymond Belanger, her five grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Rose lived a long and fulfilling life surrounded by her friends and family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, September 13 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Holy Family Church. Burial will be in the Saint Ignatius Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wentworth Hospice Care at 9 Andrews Road, Somersworth, NH 03878. Special Instructions: Checks must be made payable to the Amedisys Foundation and mailed to the office address above.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/rose-melanson.

Eileen S. Heald was born August 11, 1949 in Sanford, Maine, the daughter of Jarvis and Norma (Vose) Stokes. She graduated from Sanford High School in 1967 and from Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists in 1969. Eileen worked in dental offices in Beverly and Gloucester, MA and returned to Maine and worked in the office of Dr. Raymond Beaudoin, Jr. in Sanford for ten years. She was married to John McLeod for thirteen years, the father of her daughters, Kristen and Lauren. She married David Heald in 1986 and eventually worked with him at Heald Funeral Home. Eileen’s passion was renovating and decorating homes and in 1985, she was named McCall Magazine’s Reader of the Year and was featured in the August issue. She served on the Board of Goodall Hospital, and on the Board of the Springvale Public Library during its renovation/expansion in 2000-2001. When she and David retired to Florida in 2005, she became an accredited Home Stager and assisted David in his real estate career, while continuing to “flip” houses. David died in 2020 and Eileen purchased a home in Springvale in 2022 and became a “snowbird.” Reconnecting with lifetime friends, including her beloved Craft Group/Book Group brought her much joy. Eileen will be remembered for her warm demeanor, heartfelt hugs, and thoughtful gestures to all her friends and family. She was cherished as a grounded, trusted confidant. She could also be counted on to bring levity and fun to any occasion. No one will forget her wicked sense of humor and silly antics. She was predeceased by her husband, David Heald (2020); her parents, and a brother, David Stokes. She is survived by her daughters, Kristen McLeod of Oakland, CA and Lauren Hatfield and husband James of Richmond, CA; four grandchildren; a brother, John Stokes of Camden, SC; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 7th at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at the Springvale First Baptist Church located at 429 Main Street in Springvale at 1:30 pm on Sunday, September 8th. Interment will take place on Monday, September 9th at 1:30 pm at the Riverside Cemetery, located on Riverside Avenue in Springvale.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/eileen-heald.