Passages

Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Betty Lou Drouin, 85, of Sanford, passed away peacefully April 28 at Brentwood Nursing Home. She was born in Springvale on Dec. 15, 1938, the daughter of Ellsworth and Gladys Nichols. She attended Sanford schools and worked at General Electric in Somersworth, NH. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and watching her beloved Boston Red Sox. Betty was predeceased by her husband Ronald and daughter Karen (Drouin) Warner and grandson Tyler Woodsome. Survivors include her son Rick (Nancy) Drouin, daughter Doreen (John) Woodsome, son David (Angela) Drouin, son Ron (Tina) Drouin, sister Marylynn of New York, six grandchildren and a large extended family.
A private family service will be held in the spring. Read her full obituary here.

Janet Mae (Langlois) Eastman, 90, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family on April 20, 2024. She was born on March 7, 1934, in Sanford, one of eight children born to Roland and Hazel (Hadlock) Langlois. She attended schools in Kezar Falls. Janet married Forrest Eastman on Dec. 31, 1950. She was a loving and caring mother to her three boys, Jeff, Brian and Kerry, and two daughters, Candy and Patti. She loved to play cards with her grandchildren. She loved it when her sons would pop in for a coffee or take her to lunch. She would always leave a note on the table saying where she was and who she was with. She is survived by three sons, Jeff, Brian (Edna), and Kerry, all of Sanford, and daughters Candy Lehoux of Sanford and Patti (David) Benton of Waterboro. She had 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Janet is also survived by two sisters, Joan Scott and Marie, and two brothers, Edmund Langlois and Dick Langlois. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Forrest, in 2004, by a son Gary “Scotty” in 1959, and brothers, Harvey, Bill and Joe Langlois. Visiting hours will be at Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green in Alfred on June 1 from 11 to 2 pm. The burial will be private. Read her full obituary here.

John R. Gagnon, 82, a dedicated pillar of his community and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford. He was born on March 28, 1942, in Sanford to Joseph and Andrena (Garneau) Gagnon. He spent his formative years in Sanford, graduating from St. Ignatius High School in 1959. Following his graduation, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. John married Sandra Menard, his lifelong partner and the love of his life, in 1964. Together, they raised three daughters and celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. John was a graduate of the New England Institute of Applied Funeral Arts and Sciences in Boston, and he also attended Nasson College in Springvale. Alongside Sandra, he owned and operated Sanford Funeral Home and Dockendorff Funeral Home in Limerick for many years until his retirement in 1996. In addition to his work in the funeral industry, John founded the Sanford Monument Company, later known as Heritage Memorials. He was deeply devoted to his faith as a Roman Catholic and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. John had a zest for life. His greatest joy in life was his family. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; three daughters, Monica Goulet and her husband John of Biddeford, Sr. Stacie Marie Gagnon, FMIHM, and Aimée (Andrew) Sutherland; four grandchildren, his sister, Helene and a large extended family. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, May 4, at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in South Berwick. A private interment with military honors will be held at a later date at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford. Read his full obituary here.

Patricia Faith Leighton, 92, of Falmouth, passed away on April 23 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Pasadena, Calif., on April 10, 1932, she was a daughter of John Nutter and Dorothea (Perreault) Nutter Roberts. She grew up in Sanford and graduated from Sanford High School in 1950. She attended the University of New Hampshire, where she was an active member of the alpine ski team and field hockey team. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1954. After receiving her master’s degree from Denver University, she taught biology and physical education in the Denver public schools. While out west, she enjoyed hiking and skiing in the Colorado mountains and coaching both skiing and gymnastics. She returned to Maine to focus on raising her family with her husband Porter in Harrison. Aside from time with her family, she enjoyed all outdoor sports, especially skiing and golfing. She was a longtime ski instructor at Evergreen Valley, Pleasant Mountain, and Shawnee Peak. She passed on her knowledge and passion of skiing to her kids, grandkids, and hundreds of people she coached over the years. She was predeceased by her husband, Porter Leighton, of Falmouth; son, Craig Leighton, of South Portland; and brother, Thomas Nutter, of Sanford. She is survived by her daughter, Kristen (Brad) Hoot of Falmouth; son, Kevin (Darcey) Leighton of Brunswick; daughter, Rachel Leighton, of Falmouth; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, June 15, at the Hillside Cemetery in Damariscotta. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home. Read her full obituary here.

John F. Logrien, 97, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024, with family at his side. John was born on Dec. 2, 1926, in Sanford, a son of John and Clara Logrien. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and then enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He married the love of his life, Lucette D. Cote, in 1949 and they remained happily married for 72 years. He was employed by Goodall Mills but later accepted a position with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a ship scheduler. He remained with the shipyard for the balance of his professional career. In February of 1950, John and his wife had a son, John “Jack,” and decided to become lifelong residents of Sanford, so they built a home. John enjoyed traveling and got to do that a lot in his life with his wife, son and eventually with his grandchildren. On top of traveling, John enjoyed reading, storytelling, painting, singing, and yodeling. But he really loved dancing, from square dancing to tap dancing to salsa or even ballroom. If he could find a beat, you better believe his feet were going! He would always say “It keeps you young! It’s good for you physically and for your memory!” He taught line dancing at the Trafton Center for years and enjoyed their Friday luncheons, making many friends along the way. He loved to start the day positively, seeing his friends, cracking jokes and enjoying good conversation with his morning coffee at McDonalds. He was predeceased by his wife Lucette D. Logrien, his sister Shirley Horne, and granddaughter Nicole LeBoeuf. John leaves behind so many who loved him dearly including his son, John R. “Jack” Logrien, granddaughter Andrea and her husband Aaron Daney; two great-grandchildren and a large extended family. An informal graveside service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, May 13, at St. Ignatius Cemetery located on Berwick Road in Sanford. Read his full obituary here.

Richard E Rand, 89, of Gray, peacefully passed away on April 30, 2024, as he wished in his home of 62 years. Dick was born in Lebanon to Fred and Isabelle (Grant) Rand, on April 9, 1935. After graduating from Sanford High School, he worked multiple jobs in construction, including stints building the Maine Turnpike. While working on the turnpike, Dick met Arleine Strong, a waitress at a local burger restaurant. They married in 1956 and were together 52 years before she passed away in 2007. He is survived by his four children, Michael Rand and Jean Jones, Debbie (Rand) and Chuck Hall, Tammy (Rand) and Peter Mullen, and Steven and Alison Rand, 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Gladys Randall of Lebanon, and nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by brothers Charles, Donald, and Everett. Aside from his family, his loves included hunting, fishing, and dances at the Gray Legion Hall. Camping played a large role in his life, culminating in a year-long, cross-country trip with his wife, Arleine. He served on the Gray Fire Rescue Department and volunteered for the annual chicken barbecue for 20 years. A graveside service will be held at the Gray Cemetery on Saturday, May 18, at 11 am, followed by a celebration of life on Sunday, May 19, from 1-5 at Spring Meadows Golf Club in Gray. Read his full obituary here.

Sandra Marie “Sandy” Ryan, passed away on April 27, 2024, at the age of 56 after a courageous battle with cancer. Sandy was born March 26, 1968, in Somerville, MA. She attended St. Ann School then moved to Acton, Maine. She went to Wells High School until relocating to Rohnert Park, CA during her senior year. She spent several years exploring the West Coast, working at G&G Market, and enjoying time with friends while participating in a Renaissance Fair Guild. After returning to the East Coast, Sandy spent 24 years as resource coordinator at York County Shelter Programs. She loved working with the residents and helping them find comfort and hope. Sandy was an avid reader and card shark, enjoyed games, was the “Canasta Queen,” and loved lake time with her family. She loved her nine nephews and nieces and was always eager to care for them. She also had six great nephews and nieces. She loved traveling with family and friends, journeying to Hawaii, Florida, and the Caribbean. She was smart, kind, quiet, and for an avid reader, was a dismal speller. Sandy was predeceased by her parents Robert and Ruth Ryan (Wormlight) of Somerville, MA. She is survived by sisters Marilyn (Joseph) Franceschi of Wilmington, MA, Diane (Thomas) Laurendeau of Acton, Patricia (Paul) Williams and of Springvale, and brothers Robert Ryan of Springvale and Kevin (Donna) Ryan of Nokesville, VA. She was easy to love and was loved by all. Relatives and friends are invited to call on May 30 from 4 to 5 pm at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale, where a memorial service will be conducted at 5 pm, followed by a reception. Read her full obituary here.