LUCILLE R. GARLAND
Sept. 7, 1932 – Aug. 27, 2026
COTE FUNERAL HOME | Lucille R. Garland, 93, of Scarborough and formerly of Old Orchard Beach, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at The Enclave in Scarborough surrounded by her family.
She was born in Biddeford on September 7, 1932, a daughter of Joseph and Malvina (Marceau) Demeule. She was one of 10 children.
Lucille left school at a young age to help her family with additional income as she took on work at the local drug store and shoe store during tough economic times.
She married her husband Joseph Garland on April 26, 1952. From the generation of hard work, the couple began their journey together as they raised three children. She worked with her husband, Joseph, in the family businesses, Garland’s Oil and Garland’s Cottages in Old Orchard Beach. She retired in 2006.
Lucille cherished the relationships she made with her family and friends. Her favorite pastimes included afternoons on the beach, boating on the Saco River and winter breaks in Florida after retirement. She looked forward to special occasions, holidays, and birthdays. She cared for her husband during his extended illness until he passed away. She was able to enjoy some travel and her annual girl’s trip with her daughters.
When she was no longer comfortable driving, she moved into Enclave Assisted Living and participated in frequent field trips, happy hours and BINGO. She loved wearing new outfits with matching jewelry and was crowned the queen of Enclave’s Valentine’s dance. She valued frequent lunches and visits from extended family including Carole, Ronnie, Denise and Michael. She will be sadly missed for her conversations and time together by all who knew her.
She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Garland on May 9, 2011 and by nine siblings Pvt. Paul, John, Joseph, Maurice and Lucien Demeule, Marie Demeule, Julie Yorke, Laurette Baillargeon and Marcy Sellers.
She is survived by her three children Steve Garland and wife Evelyn, Sharon Karalekas and husband Charles and Linda Bailer and husband Paul, six grandchildren Spencer and wife Tricia, Tom, Peter, Michael, Kelsey and husband Zack and Jillian and one great grandchild Lyla and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel in Saco. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco. | READ FULL OBITUARY
DONALD GAGNE
Feb. 8, 1940 – Aug. 24, 2026
HOPE MEMORIAL CHAPEL | Donald Gagne, 86, died August 24, 2026, surrounded by family in the comfort of his home in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Born in his home in Old Orchard Beach, Maine on February 8, 1940, he was the youngest of 6 siblings of Omer and Blanche (Moreau) Gagne.
On July 23, 1960, he married Mary LaPoint in St. Margaret’s Church in Old Orchard Beach.
Donald was known for his love of hunting and fishing and was happiest out in the woods surrounded by nature, even well into his early 80s. Before his wife Mary passed, they used to enjoy going for drives in the country and this continues after her passing with his grandchildren.
He spent most of his time in the garage or outside tinkering on anything he could find, and when someone needed help, he was always there. He loved family gatherings where he could play guitar and make music together as a family. Everyone will remember his countless stories/memories that he often shared repeatedly with everyone. His stories and memories will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
His biggest joy in life was his grandchildren who he was very proud of. Even in the last few months of his life, he loved playing countless games of cards with them.
Donald is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Donald Pelletier; Tina and Rick Morse; four grandchildren and their spouse/partners, Donald & Samantha Williamson, Joshua Gallant, Meghan Pelletier and Devin Phillips, and Melissa Pelletier; and two great grandchildren, Eli Gallant,and Giovanna Quatrano.
He is predeceased by his wife Mary Gagne, his daughter Lisa Gagne, his parents Omer and Blanche Gagne, and his 5 siblings; Simonne Benway, Theresa Corbeil, Jeannette Gendron, Cecile Pruneau, and Arthur Gagne.
We have been blessed to have been able to share our lives with this wonderful man. We know he is being welcomed with open arms into our heavenly Fathers presence and reunited with all our loved ones that have gone before him. | READ FULL OBITUARY
HELEN RUTH (PERRY) LAMB
Feb. 8, 1951 – Aug. 25, 2026
HOPE MEMORIAL CHAPEL | Helen Ruth (Perry) Lamb, 75, of Alfred, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.
She was born on February 8, 1951, to Joseph Archie Perry and Ruth Mae (Descoteaux) Perry.
Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Robert Lamb, who passed away in October 2025. She was also predeceased by her father, Joseph A. Perry, in 2008; her mother, Ruth M. Perry, in 2025; her brothers, Glen Perry and Archie Perry; and her nephews, Shaun Perry and Matthew Perry.
Helen is survived by her son, Gary Lamb Sr., and his fiancée, Deb Moran, of Connecticut; and her grandsons, Matthew Lamb and Gary Lamb Jr., of Connecticut.
She is also survived by her sister, Diana Lamontagne of Waterboro; her brother, Dana Perry Sr. and his wife, Marge, of Biddeford; and Brian Perry and his family, including Connie, Eric, Caitlyn, Stacy DeLaTore, Jose DeLaTore, Xavier and Kararina DeLaTore, Gabriella, and Carter Perry all of Biddeford; Scott Perry and his wife, Tonya Perry of Arizona; sisters-in-law, Pearl Morin and Pauline of Biddeford. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Helen enjoyed hunting and fishing with her husband, Bob, and she especially loved spending time at her camp at Totem Pole Park in Freedom, New Hampshire. She proudly had several trophies from mud racing. She also loved riding motorcycles and enjoyed taking several trips with Dana and Marge.
Helen and Bob shared a special love for animals. Animals seemed to have a way of finding their way to both of them. Even a cat that disliked nearly everyone would become excited when it heard that “Aunt Helen and Uncle Bob” had arrived.
Helen will be remembered by her family and friends for the life she shared with those she loved, her many interests and adventures, and the special love she had for her family, animals and the outdoors.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 120 West Streer, Biddeford, with a Celebration of Life Service to immediately follow from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Biddeford Eagles, 57 Birch St, Biddeford. | READ FULL OBITUARY
SARA (MORRILL) READ
March 16, 1935 – Aug. 21, 2026
DENNETT, CRAIG & PATE | Sara (Morrill) Read, 91, of Portland, Maine, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home on Friday, August 21, 2026, following a brief illness.
Sara was born on March 16, 1935, in Sarasota, Florida during a brief stay by her parents, Arthur and Ruth Spofford Morrill, lifelong Maine residents. She was raised in Maine and graduated from Thornton Academy in Saco in 1953, where she was fondly remembered as a “swell girl with brains and beauty.”
She went on to attend Tufts University’s Jackson College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1957. On a lighter note, she was voted Ivy Festival Queen two years in a row, 1956 and 1957. It was there she met A. James Read, whom she later married.
Following graduation, the couple moved to California where Jim attended Stanford University, and where both of their children were born.
Sara and Jim moved to Maryland in 1964, when he began working for the Federal government. Always committed to learning and helping others, Sara later returned to college and earned a Nursing degree, enjoying a career in a profession that reflected her compassion and dedication to others.
During her years in Maryland, she also regularly volunteered for charitable causes, and went on many overseas adventures.
After Jim’s death in 1987, Sara devoted much of her time to her grandchildren, who brought her great comfort and joy. In 2003, she returned to her beloved Maine, where she enjoyed the decades that followed surrounded by family, friends and the places she loved. During that same time, she continued her history of quietly serving the community by regularly donating time and energy to charitable Maine causes she was passionate about.
Sara had a zest for life and remained active and curious. She enjoyed attending lectures, hiking, walking Maine’s beautiful beaches, attending Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, going to the gym, reading and attending the theater. She especially treasured dinners, outings, and laughter with her close-knit group of friends, affectionately known as “The Fab Five.”
Sara is survived by her son John Read, of Saco, Maine; daughter Janet Hamilton, and husband Kerry, of Barnesville, Maryland; grandson Patrick Read and husband Dr. Ian Chadd; granddaughter Stephanie Mellone and husband Thomas; and her great-grandchildren, Maxwell and William Mellone
She was preceded in death by her three brothers, Frederick Morrill of Maine; Gerald Morrill of California; and Ernest Morrill of Rhode Island.
A memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, September 25, at Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, 365 Main Street, Saco. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.
Sara will be forever remembered for her intelligence, strength, warmth, curiosity, and devotion to the people she loved. She leaves behind a family and many friends who will miss her dearly. | READ FULL OBITUARY
MARY ELLEN JOHNSON
April 17, 1949 – Aug. 26, 2026
DENNETT, CRAIG & PATE | Mary Ellen Johnson, 77, of Matthew Way, Scarborough and formally Mulberry Street, Buxton, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday at the Barron Center.
She was born on April 17, 1949, in Lynn, MA, the eldest daughter of Ralph Dalferro and Lucy (Johnson) Dalferro of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
She grew up and attended local schools in Marblehead, where she formed lifelong friendships with a wonderful group of women. She graduated from Marblehead High School, where she played basketball and was the field hockey goalie.
She was a Girl Scout and was part of the last GS Roundup where she traveled across the country on a train to join thousands of other girls for the camping experience of a lifetime. She worked as a camp counselor at Camp Shore Lea and loved rowing a boat in the harbor.
Mary Ellen was first employed by John Hancock in Boston in the benefits department and enjoyed her time in the bowling league.
She met the love of her life Steve while in Massachusetts. They began a family and eventually moved to Buxton, Maine where they lived for 46 years.
Mary Ellen started working as the school secretary at Eliza Libby in Bar Mills and continued working for SAD 6 in several different schools for 25 years. When she retired from her career, Mary Ellen began volunteering in her grandchildren’s classrooms at Young School.
Mary Ellen was always present in her children and grandchildren’s lives whether it was coaching, being a girl scout leader or going on camping adventures. She was at every sporting event cheering on her grandchildren or baking and decorating the best birthday and wedding cakes for her family. She and Steve enjoyed traveling to new places and loved hooking up the camper and heading out for adventures together.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 54 years, Stephen Johnson of Scarborough; her daughter, Heather Ney of Saco and her husband Marty; son, Michael Johnson of Saco and his wife Elisha; her five grandchildren Jack, Samantha, Tommy, Josh and Lilly. Her sister, Reenie Johnson of York, Maine; three brothers Jack Dalferro of Norwell, Mass., Charlie Dalferro of Marblehead, Mass., David Dalferro of Rockville Center, NY. and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial visitation will be held Sunday Sept. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home 13 Portland Road, Buxton, Maine. Reception to follow at Steve’s home, all are welcome.
A family graveside service will be held at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road, Springvale. | READ FULL OBITUARY
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