Passages

by Rev. Susan Murphy

Aurore Beland, 99, of Springvale, passed away on May 14, 2024. She was born in Springvale on July 17, 1924, the daughter of Francois and Aurore Sevigny. She was educated at Notre Dame School and Sanford High School. Prior to her marriage to Renaud Beland she worked at the Sanford Goodall Mills. She and her husband owned and operated a restaurant and a superette store for 20 years in Springvale. Aurore was a member of St. Ignatius choir and for many years enjoyed crafting, gardening, dancing and especially travelling with her husband to Florida, Europe, and the Canadian Rockies. Aurore was predeceased by her parents Francois and Aurore Sevigny, Renaud, her husband of 65 years, and 9 siblings. Surviving is a son Norman Paul of Springvale, a daughter Celeste Marie (Kenneth) Russell, one sister-in-law Lorraine Sevigny and many nieces & nephews. A private Christian burial will be held at Notre Dame Cemetery in Springvale. See her full obituary at

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/aurore-beland.

Nancy Ellen (Brown) Rice, 93, passed in her home in Sanford on Saturday, May 4, 2024. She was born on December 31, 1930, to Florence and Philip Brown in Pembroke.
Nancy was married to Edwin S. Rice, Sr. They raised 6 children and also fostered other children during their 67 years of marriage. Edwin passed away on January 12, 2017.
Nancy was a fabulous baker. She was often found in her kitchen baking pies, bread, and cookies. She got so much joy in showing her grandchildren and great grandchildren her baking secrets. Nancy was an avid reader, and she would always be found with a book or the Bible in her hands. Nancy was a “Maine-ah”. She loved drinking Moxie, reading The Quoddy Tides newspaper, and talking about the weather. Surviving Nancy are her children Ginny Kinney, Darlene Burns, Brian Rice, Sr., Mary Hamrick, Philip Rice, and Edwin Rice, Jr. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, over 40 great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 7 at the North Lebanon Second Baptist Church (256 Bakers Grant Rd.) in Lebanon. Burial will immediately follow at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery (83 Stanley Rd.) in Springvale.

Read her full obituary at https://bibbersautumngreen.com

Bertha S. Lemieux, 89, of Sanford passed away peacefully on Monday, May 20, 2024, surrounded by her children. She was born on Sept. 25, 1934, in Sanford, the daughter of Honorat and Regina Cote. She attended Sanford schools and was a member of the class of 1952. She worked in the local woolen mills until she met the love of her life, Gerard Lemieux. They were married for 67 years until his passing in 2019. Bertha was a devout Catholic and lived her life with grace in the Lord’s name. Her passions included cooking, entertaining friends, having family parties and traveling with family and friends. In her late 60s and into her 70s she won many Senior Olympic medals for 5K walking in Myrtle Beach, SC. Bertha and Gerry lived in Sanford until they moved as a military family to Fort Knox, KY and to Greentown, OH. Later they returned to Sanford but wintered for many years in Myrtle Beach, enjoying their retirement years. She was beloved by all who knew her. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 29, at 10:30 am at Holy Family Church, with interment to take place at Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery immediately following. Read her full obituary at https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/bertha-lemieux.