Beryl O. Varney, 92
Had a zest for life
Beryl O. Varney, 92, of Sanford and formerly a longtime resident of Windham, died Aug. 3, 2006, at her home in Sanford surrounded by loving members of her family.
Born in Bowdoinham, she was a daughter of John J. and Edna M. Tibbetts Mailer, and she attended Coombs School there.
During World War II, she was employed at the South Portland Shipyard, and later at Southworth Machine. In 1953, Mrs. Varney began work at S.D. Warren Co. in Westbrook as a paper sorter. She retired from there as an inspector in the finishing department after 25 years of service.
She had attended Windham Plains Church and was a member for 29 years of the American Legion Auxiliary in Westbrook. Mrs. Varney enjoyed music, dancing, word search puzzles, crocheting and sewing. She made many of her children’s clothes during their childhood. She loved to travel or simply go for a ride to see the ocean, mountains, flowers or foliage.
At age 90, she cruised in the Caribbean with 15 members of her family. Everyone who met her fell in love with her and her zest for life. Even strangers remarked about her infectious smile. She also enjoyed watching golf, playing the piano, singing and yodeling. She always hosted holiday meals at her home for her family, and everything was made from scratch. After her family visited her, she insisted they call upon arrival at home so she would know they had arrived safely. She enjoyed many activities with her beloved grandchildren and always maintained that the greatest joy in life was her three girls. She was a caregiver to family and friends, and was especially known for her soft molasses cookies and homemade peanut butter fudge. Mrs. Varney taught herself to drive and never took a driving test but continued to drive until she was 86.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of nearly 40 years Harold W. Varney of Windham; two brothers, J. Albion Malier of Casco; and Esric S. Malier of Rossville, Ga.; and one sister, E. Jenice Malier Cash of Casco.
Surviving her are her three daughters: Lucy M. McCabe of Ellsworth; Jennie A. MacDonald of Casco; and Julia F. Cheney and her husband Albert R. Cheney of Lyman; one sister, Frances M. Atwood of Windham; and sister-in-law, Shirley H. Malier of Rossville, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a devoted grandmother to 14 grandchildren, 31 great- grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Her funeral was held at Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham, with interment in the family lot at Smith Cemetery.
In her memory, please consider donations to The Windham Rescue Association, Box 330, Windham, Maine 04062.
John Files, 97
Traveled extensively during retirement
John Files of Center Road, Gray, died Aug. 3, 2006, at a Portland hospital.
He was born April 9, 1909, in Raymond, a son of George T. and Arabella Small Files.
John attended Raymond schools and Pennell Institute, and married Hazel Blake of New Gloucester, Oct. 26, 1935. He worked in the shipyard in South Portland in the early 40s, then was a truck driver for Hannaford Brothers, Coles Express, and retired from Quinn Freight Lines in April 1971.
He was a Past Great Sachem of the Great Council of Maine Red Men April 25, 1974, and a member of Mishawaka Tribe New Gloucester for 27 years. Currently he has been a member of Sagwa Tribe Red Men, Cumberland, Past Master of Gray Grange #41, Powhatan of Degree of Pocahontas Durremquen Council, New Gloucester, President of Gray Senior Citizens, Cumberland County Pomona Grange #15.
John traveled to many places after his retirements. He and wife Hazel went to Hawaii twice, Alaska, Oregon, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Mississippi River paddle boat, Indiana, Niagara Falls, New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, California and lived in Florida for four years then returned to Gray.
John and Hazel had three sports camps, one in Greenville, one in Old Town and one in Kokadjo where they spent every spare minute hunting and fishing. John received his 50 year membership certificate from Improved Order of Red Men, February, 1999.
John was predeceased by his wife Hazel (Blake) Files; brothers; Horace, Allen, Clifford, Gardner; and sister, Myrtle Files Smith.
He is survived by his daughter, Betty McDermott and husband Frank of Raymond; Beverly Coyne and husband John of Jacksonville, Fla.; son, Donald (Lefty) Files and wife Janice of Cape Elizabeth; son John R. Files and companion Deborah Lebel of Portland; daughter, Barbara Files and husband Michael Salvaggio of Hopkinton, Mass.; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Dad had four pastimes that consumed his time; his garden that he planned all winter, and the Red Sox and all their ups and downs. After more than 50 years he finally saw them win it all one more time. He also loved and looked forward to hunting trips up to his camp that he built by hand on the shores of First Roach Pond with his two sons, grandson and friends for the past forty years. Then there were the fishing trips with his sons to the same camp for as many years for salmon and trout. All this made good stories for many years.
Dad always had a garden, and enjoyed laboring in it for many hours. The family has eaten blue potato, corn and the largest melons in North Windham. He loved his lobster, Indian pudding and lemon meringue pie. Dad was a man of few words but was right to the point. He brought a smile to the face of everyone he met. He will be missed by all. The last ten years of his life he enjoyed the Gray Meal Site and the Gray Senior Citizens, his friends at West Falmouth Hannafords and his care taker Marie Barnard. Thank you to all for making his life happy.
Services were held at Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham, followed by burial in Gloucester Hill Cemetery, New Gloucester. Donations in his memory may be made to Gray Senior Citizens, care of George Parady, 97 Yrmouth Road, Gray, Maine 04039.
Irene Harriman, 88
Enjoyed knitting, housework
Irene Harriman, 88, of Turtle Lane, Naples, died August 4, 2006, at a Windham nursing home.
She was born in Westbrook, the daughter of Adrien and Delia Lachance Buteau. She was raised and educated in Westbrook, and worked at the Dana Warp Mill for many years. After the mill closed she worked at the mill in Biddeford into her 80s.
She enjoyed knitting and working around the house.
Her husband Lawrence Harriman died in 1976.
She is survived by a son Robert of Poland; a daughter Sandra Hartman of Naples; a brother Roland Buteau of Westbrook; two sisters, Eleanor Chase of Gorham; and Dorothy Caron of Westbrook; five grandchildren, Taunya and Robert Harriman; Kelly Kevin; and Susan Hartman; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
A memorial mass was held at St. Hyacinth Church in Westbrook. Interment will be in Brooklawn Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.
Lillian May Fogg, 99
Volunteer at St. Anne’s Church
Lillian May Fogg, 99, formerly of the Bonny Eagle Pond Road, Standish died on July 31, 2006, at the Gorham House.
She was born in Avon, Mass. on Sept. 9, 1906, a daughter of Ernest and Phoebe (Look) Peck.
She attended schools in Buxton and graduated from Buxton High School in 1925.
Mrs. Fogg worked at a cloth mill in West Buxton, the Saco Lowell Shops, Dr. Bowers Medical Office for 10 years, Cook’s Store in Gorham for 10 years, and Deer Pond Variety for four years.
Lillian was known for her dedicated service to the community. She was the president of the Sunday School Corporation for 25 years, a volunteer at St. Anne’s Church in Gorham, and served nine years as the first president of the Bar Mills Fire Department Auxiliary.
She was a member of the Saco River Grange and served as the master for several terms, a member of the Rebekahs Lodge No. 107, and was a member of the Dorcas Society for 60 years.
Lillian had been a member of the Tory Hill Church since 1932 and had been devoutly involved with the church her whole life. She was known for cooking abilities and baked biscuits and pies for the church for various activities and fundraisers. Lillian served as a Deaconess at the church for years. For around 30 years, Mrs. Fogg was also an active participant in the church’s annual play, The Peabody Pew.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Norman Fogg; two sisters; and one brother.
She is survived by a son, Hartley Fogg and his wife Arvena of Auburn; three daughters, Norma Peters and her husband Robert of Standish, Rosalind Johnson and her husband Frank of Zephyrhills Fla., and Gloria Fox of Buxton; a sister, Eleanor Durant of Waterboro; 15 grandchildren; many greatgrandchildren; and many great-greatgrandchildren.
Services were held at Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Buxton.
The family strongly suggests that if memorial donations are desired, they be made to The First Congregational Church of Buxton, Box 37, Bar Mills, Maine 04004.
Marsha Lynn Hollenkamp, 51
Her smile touched everyone
Marsha passed away Aug. 2, 2006, at her home in Casco.
She was born on Nov. 6, 1955 in Washington, D.C. She attended grade and high school in Virginia, graduated from Virginia Tech and received her Master’s Degree at Husson College.
She was a warm and loving woman whose smile touched everyone she knew. Her spirit will be with us always. She is deeply loved and missed.
She is survived by her husband, Michael Hollenkamp of Casco; her mom and dad, Harriet and Mike Lawrence, of Fairfax, Va.; her brother, David Baturin of Williamsport, Md.; and her sister, Joni Grigsby of Woodbridge, Va.
A celebration of her life was held at her Casco home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospital Recovery Center, Burma Wilkins, 40 Park Road, Westbrook, Maine 04092.
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