Passages

Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Lynne E. Cieslik, 76, of Springvale, died peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at her home. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on Aug. 25, 1947, the daughter of John and Doris (Larson) Erickson. When she was eight, Lynne and her family moved to Maine, where she attended Sanford High School and the CMMC School of Nursing. Lynne went on to graduate with a degree in X-ray technology and worked for several years as an X-ray technician. While visiting a friend in Maryland, Lynne met her husband, Tod Cieslik, while he was stationed at Fort Meade. They were married in 1970, when Tod was discharged. They moved to New Jersey and remained there until 1999, when she and Tod returned to Maine to retire. Lynne was a great lover of rock n’ roll music, especially the Kinks and the Moody Blues. She loved to dance, and she and Tod attended many music shows over the years. Lynne is survived by her husband, Tod, and a son, Michael Cieslik, of Virginia Beach. https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/lynne-cieslik?utm_source=search&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=standard&cta=fh-website

Dawn M. Polley, 63, of Sanford passed away on Aug. 8, 2024, after a battle with an illness that she fought so hard to beat. She loved to hunt and fish, especially when she was at the family camp. Anything that she could do outside brought her pure enjoyment. Her love of family will never be forgotten. She was predeceased by her parents, Julie E. Howes and Lionel R. Landry, her brothers David and Christopher Landry, and her sister, Brenda Adams. She leaves behind two sons whom she loved so very much, Robert (Tony) Wyman of New Hampshire and Gage (Rachel) Lebeuf of Sanford, her stepdad, Dana (Lois) Howes Sr., her sister, Melanie (Steve) Dechant, her brothers, Brian (Rhonda) Landry and Dana (Autumn) Howes Jr., and a large extended family. She will be missed by many. There was a graveside service for family and friends on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Milton Mills Cemetery. https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/dawn-polley.

Bernadette M. Stevens, 79, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at Summer Commons in Sanford. Bernadette was born on Feb. 2, 1945, in Haverhill, MA, to Charles and Rita Clark. She moved to Sanford as a young woman, and there she and her husband Alden Stevens raised their family and spent the rest of their lives. During her career, Bernadette worked as a bookkeeper for several companies. She had a passion for crafts, home repairs, and making greeting cards. She also had a deep love for her cats. A devoted communicant of St. Ignatius Church in Sanford, she was a loving and dedicated mother who will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Bernadette was predeceased by her beloved husband, Alden R. Stevens, and extended family members, Frank Piazza Sr. and Vivian Piazza. She is survived by her two sons, Mark and Brian; her adopted sister, Jennifer Gaskell, along with Jennifer’s daughter and grandson, Charissa Brannen and Christopher Gaskell; and extended family members, Vicki Smeraldi, Frankie Piazza Jr., and the rest of the Piazza family. Interment will take place at the Ocean View Cemetery in Wells. https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/bernadette-stevens.

Ralph Nolette, father, pepere, brother, uncle, and friend, was reunited with his wife Jeanne on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. He was born in Saco on Nov. 17,1932, the middle child of seven, to Oscar and Aurore (St. Onge) Nolette. He served in the Army as an honor guard from 1953-1955. He met the love of his life, Jeanne Pouliot from Sanford, and was married in 1957. They proudly raised four children and have four wonderful grandchildren. Their home was the gathering spot for all, and their doors were always open. Family was number one. He worked as a mechanic at Cantin (AKA Tucker) Chevrolet, eventually becoming the service manager. His customers trusted him because he was honest and would never suggest work that wasn’t necessary. He ended his career as the foreman of the transportation garage at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. For many years, he worked on cars and small engines of all kinds in his garage. People would call at all times of the day and night when stranded or needing a house call. Ralph is survived by his daughter Cathy and her husband Tom, sons David, Michael and Matthew, and respective spouses Patty, Katie and Vicky, sister Dot Laverriere and brothers Oscar and Sylvio Nolette. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family in Sanford at 11 am on Wednesday, Aug. 21, followed by a military honors interment at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/ralph-nolette

Maurice Frank Payeur, “Moe”, 74, passed away at his home on Saturday Aug. 10, 2024, with his loving family by his side. He was born on March 8, 1950, in Sanford, the son of the late Ernest and Therese (Ouellette) Payeur. He attended local schools and later served in both active and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy. He went to work at the Sanford Municipal Airport in 1972 and retired in 2015. While working at the airport, Moe had the opportunity of meeting many interesting people, including several U.S. presidents. He was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd and 4th degrees, as well as a longtime member of the American Legion Post 19 in Sanford and the Springvale Social Club. Moe’s interests included fishing trips to Rangeley and Estes Lake. He was a huge NASCAR fan who also enjoyed car shows and keeping his vehicles in pristine condition. Moe looked forward to his annual visits to Sebago Lake with his brothers. He was known for his friendly nature and great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Raynald Payeur. He is survived by his wife of 23 years Terry (Dickinson) Payeur, by his three daughters, Christy Wainwright, Mira (Fiano) Guzzo, Kristen (Jason) Coutu, stepdaughters Karina (Roland) Lemay, Danielle (Joseph) Charlonne, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Richard (Sylvia) Payeur, Norman Payeur, and sisters Rita (Jerry) Soulard and Janet Boivin. He also leaves behind several nieces. A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 am on Aug. 23 at (Holy Family) Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, with burial to follow at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements by Maine Cremation Care, 471 Deering Ave., Portland, ME 04103 To leave a message of condolence visit https://www.mainecremationcare.com/obituaries/Maurice-Payeur/#!/TributeWall