Louise Effie Ferguson Lavaway

LAVAWAY, Louise Effie Ferguson, 85, MAPLETON, December 1, 2012. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2012, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle. Arrangements in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.

    MAPLETON – Louise Effie Ferguson Lavaway, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, December 1, 2012, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mildred Lavaway and Don Ratcliff, in Vernon Hill, Virginia. She was 85 at the time of her death.
    Mrs. Lavaway was born in Portland, ME, on January 23, 1927, the daughter of William Franklin Ferguson and Wilma L. (Rogers) Ferguson. She resided and was educated in the Portland/ Falmouth, Maine area until 1947, when she moved to Presque Isle, ME, to work for the New England Telephone Company. She resided at a local Presque Isle landmark called The Bellstead, a sorority home for out-of-town telephone operators. Shortly after her arrival to Presque Isle, she met and wed the love of her life, Adrine Dennis Lavaway, and they were married on January 23, 1948. They resided in Presque for a few years and then moved to Mapleton to raise their family.
    Mrs. Lavaway was very active in her children’s lives, 4-H, riding clubs and was also a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers Club. In addition to her family and friends, Mrs. Lavaway’s loves and interests included singing, writing, still life painting, reading, bird watching, gardening and caring for numerous beloved pets.  
    She is survived by her six children, Mildred Lavaway and husband, Don Ratcliff of Vernon Hill, VA, Dennis Lavaway and wife, Donna of Waynesboro, VA, Gary Lavaway and wife, Becky of Presque Isle, ME, Carolyn Griffin of Sherrill’s Ford, VA, Marilyn Saucier of Hope, ME and Connie Orcutt-Lavaway of Portland, ME; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Carmeline Tardy of Lincoln, ME, and Jean Oliver of CT; and many friends.
    Mrs. Lavaway was predeceased by her loving husband, Adrine Dennis Lavaway; her parents, William and Wilma Ferguson; and brothers, Albert, Kenneth, Bill and Elmer Ferguson.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2012, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Morency celebrant. Interment will be in North Main St. Catholic Cemetery following the funeral mass. A reception will be held following the interment at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
    Mrs. Lavaway’s loving and nurturing spirit will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her. Donations in her memory may be made to The Central Aroostook Humane Society, 23 Cross St., Presque Isle, ME 04679. (207) 764-3441. Arrangements are in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com