Marion (May) Howard Dennis, 102, died after a brief illness on Saturday, April 30, 2011, surrounded by her family at Southern Maine Medical Center, two weeks prior to her 103rd birthday.

She was born May 16, 1908, in Saco to Joseph and Jeanie Macgregor Howard. She was a lifelong resident of Saco where she graduated from Thornton Academy in 1927 as valedictorian and president of her class.

In 1937, she married her classmate, Ivan Dennis. She worked in secretarial positions at the former Saco-Lowell Shops and Pepperell Manufacturing Co. She later worked as a senior cost clerk at Westpoint-Pepperell and retired in 1972.

She was an accomplished pianist and served as a pianist through her school years in local orchestras, teenage shows, Rubens School of Dance and for the Lady Royal Stewart Auxiliary to the Order of the Scottish Clan for many years. Until the week before her death she played songs for her friends, fellow residents and staff at South Ridge Living Center where she resided.

Her hobbies included all crafts, crossword puzzles, bird watching and cooking. 

Cooking was by far the one hobby she was best known for by family and friends.  She was a regular on the radio call-in cooking show Yankee Kitchen in Boston where she was fondly known as “May from Maine.”

In 1996 she wrote her first cookbook, “The May from Maine Cookbook.” The cookbook was so popular she wrote a second edition in 1998 at the age of 90. May from Maine’s recipes were also featured in the quarterly national publication, “Blue Ribbon Gazette.” Last year on NBC’s “Today” show, she adorned the cover of the Smuckers Jar on her 102nd birthday.

May had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes.  Through her warm personality and witty character she had gathered many adopted grandchildren throughout the years who fondly knew her as “Nan.”

She enjoyed summers between Saco and the family camp at Mousam Lake. She took pride in the fact that she never missed a class reunion from Thornton Academy and attended last September at the age of 102.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1987 and her daughter, Jean Munford, in 2005.

Survivors include three grandchildren, Linda Carey and her husband, Robert, of Holliston Mass., Douglas Munford and his wife, Deborah, of Biddeford and Troy Munford of Bethel; and four great-grandchildren.

Cremation arrangements were by Phaneuf Funeral Home, Manchester, N.H.

Georgette C. Mailman

Georgette “Georgie” Mailman, 85, of Saco, died Sunday at her home after a lengthy illness. She was comforted by family and friends continuously during her last days.

She was born Dec. 9, 1925, in Biddeford to Emile and Aurore (Jariz) Grenier. She and her identical twin sister, Pauline, were inseparable during their childhood years.

She met the love of her life, Earle Mailman, when she was 23 and they married in Biddeford on Sept. 5, 1949, and recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary.

Before starting a family, she worked briefly at Kesslin Shoe in Kennebunk. She also worked at the soda fountain at Liggett’s Drug Store in Biddeford, where she and her twin were known as the “Toni Twins.”

She and her family spent most of their summers at Little Ossipee Pond, where they owned and operated the Leisure Motel for many years.

Upon her husband’s retirement, the couple wintered at their home at Lakeside Ranch in Winter Haven, Fla., where they often got together with friends. Dancing with her husband at special holiday gatherings at the clubhouse was one of her favorite Florida activities, along with going to flea markets, dining out, attending concerts and playing shuffleboard. She treasured spending time with her children and grandchildren, and her sense of humor was infectious.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Donna Mae, who died in 1964 at the age of 12. 

Survivors include her husband, Earle Mailman; three sons, Gordon Mailman and his wife, Joyce, Steven Mailman and his wife, Patricia, and Wayne Mailman; seven grandchildren, two great-granddaughters; and her twin, Pauline Audie.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

Mina Thibodeau

Mina Thibodeau, 88, of Biddeford died Sunday, May 1, 2011, at St. Andre Health Care Facility.

She was born Jan. 11, 1923, in St. Ignatius, Mont., to George and Elise Sirois Dubey. Her family returned to St. Agathe and she was educated there.

She moved to Biddeford in 1942 and in June that year she married Paul E. Thibodeau at St. Joseph Church.

Mrs. Thibodeau worked at Pepperell Manufacturing Co. for a few years as a cloth inspector. She was a member of St. Joseph Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974; her son, Donald Thibodeau, in 1978 and eight brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her daughter, Geraldine Thibodeau and daughter-in-law, Martha Thomas, both of Biddeford; her granddaughter, great-grandson and niece.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Leona Y. Poirier

Leona Y. Poirier, 90, of Saco, died Monday, April 25, 2011, with her family by her side.

She was born Sept. 11, 1920, in Biddeford to Alfred and Sarah (Jalbert) Belisle. She was educated in the Biddeford school system.

She was employed by Pepperell Manufacturing for 20 years as a production orderer and folder. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church, Good Shepherd Parish, and a member of Biddeford Seniors.

Mrs. Poirier was preceded in death by her husband, Raoul A. Poirier, who died in 2000, six brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include two daughters, Ruth C. Pinette and her husband, Bernard, and Anita D. Cote and her husband, Robert, all of Saco; one sister, Irene Myhre of Hawaii; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.