Craine, Helen M., 83, Presque Isle, in Mars Hill, October 17, 2009. Arrangements in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – Helen M. Craine, 83, died Saturday morning Oct. 17, 2009, at a Mars Hill health care facility. She was born on December 12, 1925 in Hodgdon, the daughter of James W. and Elva (Victory) McGillicuddy. 
Helen grew up in Hodgdon, one of eight children, graduated from Hodgdon High school in 1945. On April 12, 1948, she married Edmund Craine and the two began a long and devoted life together, that resulted in many memories for those who knew her. She will be remembered for being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved taking care of others and was especially good at pulling teeth and removing slivers. She was famous for her homemade donuts, sugar cookies, and jelly. Helen was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Presque Isle, and the daughters of Isabella. In their younger years, Helen and Ed were avid square dancers in the Spud Shufflers, and Helen was an accomplished bowler for many years.
She is survived by her husband Ed of Presque Isle; four daughters and their husbands, Linda Libby and Floyd of Brewer, Nancy and Jerry Shea of Middlebury, VT, Margaret and Kevin Griffeth of Portland, Lorraine Riesold of South Portland; a son, Michael Craine and his wife Deborah of Hanahan, SC; ten grandchildren, Jennifer Trombley, Lesley Gaudreau and her husband Shawn, Jake, Sarah, and Julie Trombley, John Shea and his wife Nora, Danielle Riesold, Bennett Craine and his wife Megan, Griffin and Erin Craine; 12 great-grandchildren, Cameron, Rachel, Hailey, Ryan, Lydia, Julia, Andrew, William, Adrian, Jaylen, Chloe, and Gavin; a sister, Ruth Rau of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law, Pauline, Mary, and Ruth McGillicuddy. Predeceased by siblings, Margaret Welton, John, Maurice, Gerald, and Donald McGillicuddy and Alice O’Donnell.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Marys Catholic Church with the very Rev. Jean Paul LaBrie officiating. Friends called 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. Interment was at Fairmount Cemetery. Those who wish may make donations in her memory to Hospice of Aroostook, P.O. Box 688, Caribou, Maine 04736 or to the American Cancer Society New England Division, Inc., one Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. The family expresses many thanks to all the health care professionals at the Mars Hill Nursing Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
