Passages

Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Maxine Cecilia “Cecile” Bouchard, 67, passed away on May 20, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Cecile was born in Waterville, Maine on June 19,1956, the eighth of nine children born to J. Alphie and Yvette (Michaud) Bouchard. Cecile attended Winslow High School, class of 1974. She was a gifted athlete and participated in numerous sports, lettering in basketball, field hockey and track and field. Cecile attended the University of Maine at the Bangor campus. In May 1995, Cecile earned an Associate’s Degree of Science in Dental Hygiene with High Distinction. She would go on to a 25-year career as a dental hygienist for Dr Beaudoin’s dental practice. She would meet and marry Brian Webber while in college and throughout her lifetime, she demonstrated determination, resourcefulness, sincerity and kindness toward her family and friends. Upon surviving breast cancer in 2017, Cecile actively participated with Tri for a Cure with her cousins Gayle Giroux and Janet Gilchrist. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Ronnie and Larry Bouchard, sisters-in-law Carla and Jackie Bouchard and her nephew James Donahue. Cecile is survived by her husband Brian Webber, her stepson, Chris Webber and his wife Jen and grandson Gavin of Alfred, Maine; her four brothers, Gerald, Burnell, Royal and David, her two sisters, Rita and Donna Bouchard and a large extended family.
Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, June 14, 2024 from 10:30-11:30 am with a celebration of life service to follow at 11:30 at Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak Street in Alfred. A private committal service for family will be at a later date. Read her full obituary here

Eric Russell Cobb of Sanford, formerly of Danvers, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his own home at the age of 68. Though we’ll choose to remember him for how he lived, his fight against his illness showed a level of strength and resiliency that amazed everyone around him. He is survived by many loved ones but is most deeply bereaved by his only child, Jamie, who cared for him lovingly until he died. Their relationship was very special, raising her as a single dad with the help of the world’s best village. He was very proud of his four grandchildren with many memories made in his years of babysitting them and offering the early morning PB&J snack parties just like his daughter enjoyed. He leaves behind a “baby sister” Judy, who he was always fiercely protective of and her three children. Also known as “Ricky” to a very select few, we are most comforted to know the loved ones who’ve gone before him are with him again. Eric was an absolutely brilliant but humble man. He started by building cars as a teenager and eventually translated those skills to a career as a nuclear physicist. At his request there will be no formal services. Read his full obituary

Elisabeth P. (Beth) Hanscom, formerly of Sanford, died on May 18, 2024, in Huntsville, Alabama after a long illness. She had been in hospice in her own home for many months. Beth was adopted by Ward and Nancy Hanscom and grew up with her brother, Stephen in Sanford. She lived here for most of her early years. She played some sports in high school, was a member of the Glee Club and Drama Club and helped with the yearbook for several years. She spent time at her family’s summer cottage on Square Pond and went on several trips with her parents to Europe. Beth was a Veteran of the first Gulf War and served in Saudi Arabia in 1991. Prior to that, she was a disbursing clerk in the US Navy and was stationed in Washington, DC and Rota, Spain. She married Lester Sitton and together they had two children, Heather and Jennifer. Her marriage would end and she remained in Sanford for many years, raising her two girls. After both her girls graduated high school, she moved south to Florida and Virginia and eventually settled in Huntsville. After both of her parents died in 2011, Beth quit her job in Alabama and began making handmade greeting cards and selling them on Etsy. Creating cards and goodies from paper was her true passion. Beth is survived by daughters Heather Baker and Jennifer (Blake) Howton, four grandchildren, a brother, Stephen Hanscom and many cousins, aunts and uncles. She would connect with two blood relatives, a brother, James Cole of New Hampshire and sister, Florence Ricker of Florida. Her ashes will be buried in the Gulf of Mexico at a later date. “A Sailor belongs to the Sea, so that is where she will rest for eternity.”

Bryan M. Hill, 86, of Springvale, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the Lodges Care Center in Springvale. Bryan was born in Murchison, Texas, on May 1, 1938, to Alton and Fannie (Mitchell) Hill. He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where he attended local schools and was active in the ROTC. After high school, he worked for the Coca-Cola company for several years and served in the Tennessee National Guard before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Bryan proudly served during the Korean Conflict and completed two tours in Vietnam during a distinguished career that spanned 33 years, retiring with the rank of Sergeant Major. After retiring from the military, Bryan worked as a manager and inspector for Hilton Hotels and later for AVX Corporation until he fully retired. He enjoyed collecting coins and was an avid reader. Bryan was a loving husband, father and grandfather who always worked hard and took pride in providing for his family. He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends. Bryan was predeceased by his wife, Paula B. Hill; his parents; his son, Brent Mitchell Hill and his sister, Billie John Robinson. He is survived by his daughter, Renai Hill of Helena, Montana; two stepdaughters, Bonnie Cole and Maureen LeClair, both of Lyman; five grandchildren and many great and great-great grandchildren. A service with military honors was held on Tuesday, June 4th, at the Carll-Heald and Black Funeral Home, in Springvale. Interment will be held at a later date at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Stanley Road in Springvale.

Read his full obituary

Jenni “Wallace” Hoffman, 52, of Sanford, passed away at her residence on Friday, May 24, 2024. Born on September 4, 1971, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Jenni was the daughter of Carl and Jean Wallace. She grew up in Greensburg, where she attended local schools and graduated from Hempfield High School. Throughout her life, Jenni worked in various roles, primarily as a receptionist, but her true passion was her family, especially her children. Jenni recently moved to Maine, a place where she found joy and contentment. She is survived by her loving parents, Carl and Jean Wallace; her brother, Shawn (Pam) Wallace, her two children, Carl Martin and Debra (Joey) Yasurek and four beloved grandchildren. Jenni also leaves behind her very special friends, Gerri and Robbin Evans of Sanford and a large extended family. No service is planned at this time. Read her full obituary

Irene P. Roberge, 89, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Lodges Care Center in Springvale. Irene was born in Sanford on April 18, 1935, one of five children born to Ovila and Corinne (Lehouillier) Plante. She grew up in Sanford and attended St. Ignatius where she graduated from high school in 1952. In 1956, she married Oliva Roberge. Together, they raised three children and shared 52 years of marriage before his passing in 2008. When her children were young, Irene lovingly devoted her life to caring for her family. She took a job at the Sanford Institution for Savings where she had different responsibilities, but none more rewarding than being the Executive Secretary for many years until her retirement after 25 years of service. Irene was a devout Catholic and a dedicated communicant of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. Irene was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter and sister. She always put her family first and cherished spending time with them. She was a humble and kind woman, sociable, loved being around people and had many friends. Irene was predeceased by her parents, Corinne and Ovila Plante, her husband, Oliva Roberge and her four siblings, Beatrice, Jacqueline, Paul, and Michel. She is survived by her three children, Karen (William) Duplin, Michelle (Robert) and David (Jodie) Roberge, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, June 28th at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford. Read her full obituary .

Gerald “Jerry” Frohloff of passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 10, 2024. Jerry was born January 12, 1965, and was raised by Ruth and Lothar Frohloff. He grew up in Bristol and later moved to Barkhamstead, both towns in Connecticut. Jerry was a very talented welder which he started doing as a teenager and it became his life work and passion. He worked for many companies over the years and even taught at a welding school in Hartford. Jerry leaves behind many loved ones: sons Tyler (Kara) Frohloff and Tanner Frohloff; daughters Madison Frohloff and Kaylee (Austin) Law; brother Gordon (Patti) Frohloff and nieces Naomi, Pearl and Anna Frohloff from Sanford and grandchildren Caleb Frohloff, Chloe Frohloff and Abel Law. Jerry loved life. He loved his friends and was known to be the kind of person that would drop what he was doing and lend a hand to anyone. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him and forever remembered. A memorial service will take place on June 29 at 1:00 pm at Lourdes of Litchfield at 83 Montfort Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759.

Roland F. “Bo” Boivin, 67, of Acton passed away on June 1, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 23, 1957, in Sanford to Louis and Jeanne (Bernier) Boivin. Bo and his best friend, Ron opened Great Northern Splicers, becoming one of the first independent fiber splicing contractors in the state. Until his retirement in 2022, he remained active in the telecommunications field. Bo married his wife, Janet (Payeur) on June 9th, 1984 in Sanford. Together they enjoyed traveling, spending time at their camp in Rangeley and most recently their home on Mousam Lake. One of the biggest things he cherished was his family. He and Janet raised two beautiful daughters, Meghan and Kaitlyn. He was a hands-on dad, never shying away from cooking dinner, cleaning up or picking the girls up from practice. In 2018, their first grandchild, Kylie was born. This welcomed the “Pep” era to his life. His grandchildren Kylie, Tessa, Liam and Nolan loved their Pep. There were many days when Pep’s daycare opened up at a moment’s notice for snow or sick days. These grandchildren brought so much joy to his retirement. Bo will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Janet and their two daughters; Kaitlyn (Nick) Palmer and Meghan Boivin (Marc Blake), his four grandchildren, a brother Ronnie and sister Doris (Michael). A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 10 am at St Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church.